Realistic aspects of cardiac ultrasound in rats: practical tips for improved examination

Abstract

Echocardiography is a reliable and non-invasive method for assessing cardiac structure and function in both clinical and experimental settings, offering valuable insights into disease progression and treatment efficacy. The successful application of echocardiography in murine models of disease has enabled the evaluation of disease severity, drug testing, and continuous monitoring of cardiac function in these animals. However, there is insufficient standardization of echocardiographic measurements for smaller animals. This article aims to address this gap by providing a guide and practical tips for the appropriate acquisition and analysis of echocardiographic parameters in adult rats, which may also be applicable in other small rodents used for scientific purposes, like mice. With advancements in technology, such as ultrahigh-frequency ultrasonic transducers, echocardiography has become a highly sophisticated imaging modality, offering high temporal and spatial resolution imaging, thereby allowing for real-time monitoring of cardiac function throughout the lifespan of small animals. Moreover, it allows the assessment of cardiac complications associated with aging, cancer, diabetes, and obesity, as well as the monitoring of cardiotoxicity induced by therapeutic interventions in preclinical models, providing important information for translational research. Finally, this paper discusses the future directions of cardiac preclinical ultrasound, highlighting the need for continued standardization to advance research and improve clinical outcomes to facilitate early disease detection and the translation of findings into clinical practice.