Mouse MicroCT Angiography Imaging to Evaluate Allograft Patency and Durability of Anastomoses After Liver Transplantation

To begin, use tape to attach an ECG pad to the left, right fore, and right hind limbs of the anesthetized mouse with the transplanted liver. To ensure proper QRS complexes, in the Source Setup tab, select ECG as the source check to logic lead, and choose the lead that offers the clearest ECG curve. Under the Trigger Setup tab, confirm that channel A is checked, then choose the desired output, and select Channel A Trigger parameters.

Then, under the Display setup tab, adjust the display setting for a clear signal view. Take the box next to ECG set to 500. Set the presented imaging parameters.

Ensure that the threshold for ECG is below the hysteresis value and above the peak of the ST segment. After placing the mouse into the scanner, press Update image. Then, acquire an X-ray scout image of the mouse to select the appropriate field of view and anatomical scan coverage.

To perform micro CT angiography image acquisition, set the presented parameters. to reconstruct the micro CT images, upload the image and set blue bars to straddle the anatomical area of interest. Open the reconstruction utility screen and select the data file to reconstruct.

Turn on the volume of interest outline to optimize the image boundary. Then, choose a 40 micron voxel size, hand projector filter, and Gaussian volume filter, 80 micron. Select slice preview to reduce file size and determine the field of view based on the volume of interest outlined.

Next, collimate the X-ray image to remove unwanted space or areas. Go to Advanced and click image-based gating. Choose 10 phases for cardiac gating.

Update the file name, and then push the volume reconstruction button. Finally, rename the file to include parameter choices, and select Volume Reconstruction. A successful micro CT angiography scan provides detailed information on vascular anastomosis.

The contrast seen through the IVC and PV demonstrates the patency of the super hepatic and intrahepatic anastomosis. Additionally, 3D reconstruction of successful micro CT scans provides detailed information about vascular anatomy.