The authors would like to thank Marlijn Jansen, Joyce Visser, and Martijn van Nieuwburg for their assistance with the animal experiments. We greatly acknowledge Martijn Froeling and Anke Wassink for their assistance with the MRI imaging.

The in vivo experiment was conducted in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals prepared by the Institute of Laboratory Animal Research. The experiment was approved by the local Animal Experiments Committee.
1. Preparation of Injectable and Embedding Solution
<ol>
	<li>Prepare the injectable gel.
	<ol>
		<li>Prepare 1 mL of ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) gel in accordance to previously-described protocols12,13.</li>
		<li>Add superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIOs) to the solution to get a concentration of 15 &#181;g/mL and stir the mixture for 5 min for uniform distribution.</li>
		<li>Add the fluorescent microbeads to the solution to get a concentration of 10,000 beads/mL and stir the mixture for 5 min for uniform distribution.</li>
		<li>Store the resulting mixture at room temperature in a dark environment. Warm and vortex or stir the solution shortly before the injection procedure.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Prepare the embedding solution.
	<ol>
		<li>Start with tap water at room temperature and add agarose (agar) to a concentration of 4 wt%.</li>
		<li>Slowly heat up the solution to the boiling point using a microwave oven and stir frequently during heating. Upon reaching the boiling point, store and keep the agar solution above 70 &#176;C for 2 h to allow trapped air to surface.</li>
		<li>Allow the agar to cool down at room temperature to a temperature between 50 and 60 &#176;C until the time of embedding.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Injection Procedure
<ol>
	<li>Perform premedication (anti-arrhythmic agents, anti-platelet therapy, and pain medication), anesthesia, venous access, and intubation, as previously described14.</li>
	<li>Perform injections using an intramyocardial injection catheter (Table of Materials). For each injection, 0.2 mL of the mixture is injected in one bolus at a constant rate of approximately 0.3 mL/min using an injection device. Place the injections at different positions along the IBZ12.</li>
	<li>Administer 0.2 mL/kg (1.0 mmol/mL) of a gadolinium-based contrast agent 15 min prior to euthanizing the animal.</li>
	<li>Administer 20 mL of 7.5% potassium chloride intravenously to euthanize the animal.</li>
	<li>Secure mediastinal access following protocol steps 8.2 - 8.3, as described by Koudstaal et al.14. Cut the inferior caval vein 5 cm from the right atrium and remove outflowing blood with a suction device. Excise the heart and rinse it with 0.9% saline at room temperature.</li>
</ol>
3. Embedding Procedure
<ol>
	<li>Prepare the heart.
	<ol>
		<li>Remove the pericardium from the heart while keeping the atria and ventricles intact. Dissect the ascending aorta &#177; 1 cm above the aortic valve using Klinkenberg scissors. Cut the inferior caval vein &#177; 1 cm from the atrium, and do the same for the pulmonary veins.</li>
		<li>Suture the apex of the heart to the bottom of a plastic embedding container (17 x 15 x 15 cm, W x D x H) using a 2-0 suture to prevent floatation of the heart during embedding (Figure 1A).</li>
		<li>Suture the remaining part of the aorta to the rims of the container using 2-0, making sure that the heart is centered and not touching the walls of the container (Figure 1B).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Figure 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/54974/54974fig1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Schematic Overview and Photograph of the Embedding Container. (A) Schematic overview of the embedding process. The heart (red) is secured in the container (blue) using sutures. After filling the heart with the agar solution, the space around the heart is filled. Finally, two rigid plastic tubes (yellow) are positioned in the container, next to but not touching the heart, to serve as a reference during image registration. (B) Photograph of a heart secured in the embedding container. The sutures are clamped to the rim of the container using mosquito clamps. <a href="http://cloudfront.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/54974/54974fig1large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<ol start="2">
	<li>Embed the heart in an end-diastolic-like geometry. 
	NOTE: The prevention of air bubble creation is necessary. If large air bubbles present in the agar solution, keep the agar at 40 &#176;C, allowing the air bubbles to surface.
	<ol>
		<li>Clamp the inferior caval vein using mosquito clamps. Slowly inject the liquid agar using a 50-mL syringe in the right atrium via the superior caval vein until both the right atrium and ventricle are completely filled.</li>
		<li>Clamp the pulmonary veins using mosquito clamps. Gently pass an agar-filled 50-mL syringe retrogradely through the aortic valves. Slowly inject the solution in the left ventricle (LV) until the LV and the left atrium are completely filled. After filling the LV, clamp the aorta to keep the agar in the LV.</li>
		<li>Pour the remaining agar into the container until the heart is fully covered. Place two rigid plastic tubes within the embedding container to serve as reference structures for later image registration (Figure 1A). Make sure the tubes do not touch the walls of the container or the heart.</li>
		<li>Let the agar solidify at 2 - 7 &#176;C.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
4. Image Acquisition
<ol>
	<li>Perform transversal ex vivo MRI scans of the heart that is embedded in the container.
	<ol>
		<li>Place the container with the embedded heart inside a head coil (Table of Materials).</li>
		<li>Angulate the slices parallel to the bottom of the container. Use the same orientation and angulation in each ex vivo MRI sequence.</li>
		<li>To visualize myocardium, perform a fluid-attenuated inverse recovery (FLAIR) sequence with the following parameters: repetition time [TR]/echo time [TE] = 10 s/140 ms, flip angle = 90&#176;, pixel size = 0.5 x 0.5 mm, field of view [FOV] = 169 x 169 mm, 320 x 320 matrix, and 3-mm slice thickness.</li>
		<li>To visualize the myocardial infarction, perform a late-gadolinium enhanced (LGE) sequence with the following parameters: [TR]/[TE] = 5.53 ms/1.69 ms, flip angle = 25&#176;, pixel size = 1.0 x 1.0 mm, [FOV] = 169 x 169 mm, 176 x 176 matrix, and 3-mm slice thickness.</li>
		<li>To visualize SPIOs, perform a T2*-weighted gradient echo sequence with the following parameters: [TR]/[TE] = 88.7 ms/15 equally-distributed TEs with a range of 1.9 - 24.6 ms, flip angle = 15&#176;, pixel size = 0.5 x 0.5 mm, [FOV] = 169 x 169 mm, 320 x 320 matrix, and 3-mm slice thickness.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Tissue processing
	<ol>
		<li>Turn the container upside down and allow air between the agar and the sides of the container to remove the solid agar solution, including the heart, from the container. Remove the plastic rods from the solid agar.</li>
		<li>Section the agar block containing the heart in 5-mm slices from the apex to the base of the heart using a meat slicer. Keep the angulation of the cut slices the same as in the acquired MR images by cutting parallel to the bottom of the agar block.</li>
		<li>Stain the agar slices (including the heart) for 15 min in 1 wt% of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazoliumchloride (TTC) dissolved in 0.9% saline at 37 &#176;C, and photograph the slices on both sides from a perpendicular view (Figure 2A). Next, carefully rinse the slices in 0.9% saline. 
		NOTE: In this study, we used a dSLR setup with an appropriate lens/objective, a tripod, and uniform lighting. However, the photographs served only as a control for the assessment of the scar region, so we could have used a different setup.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Fluorescence imaging 
	NOTE: Depending on the excitation and emission wavelengths of the fluorescent microbeads, select the appropriate filter block and excitation lasers (e.g., the red microbeads used here have excitation and emission wavelengths of 580 nm and 605 nm, respectively; therefore, the selected excitation laser and bandpass filters were set to 532 nm, 580/30 nm and 610/30 nm, respectively).
	<ol>
		<li>Select fluorescence-mode imaging on the variable-mode scanner. Set the photomultiplier tube to 430 V or equivalent and the pixel size to 100 x 100 &#181;m. Select an excitation laser (532 nm) closest to the excitation wavelength of the fluorescent microbeads.</li>
		<li>For the first filter block, select a bandpass filter (580/30 nm) that overlaps with the emission wavelength of the injected fluorescence beads (channel 1). Select a bandpass filter for the second filter block (610/30) outside the emission wavelength (channel 2). 
		NOTE: The second filter block serves as a negative control and to remove auto-fluorescence while keeping the injection sites intact.</li>
		<li>Scan both sides of the agar slices in the fluorescence mode of the variable-mode laser scanner using the two channels. Make sure that each slice is completely scanned, including the reference holes.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
5. Post-processing
NOTE: The first step in image post-processing is the manual segmentation of the myocardium using in-house developed scripts to trace the endo- and epicardial borders, as well as the injection sites. This is the same for both MRI and fluorescence scans.
<ol>
	<li>Segment the myocardium in the MRI scans.
	<ol>
		<li>Segment the endocardial and epicardial LV borders on the FLAIR MRI sequence images.</li>
		<li>Copy the LV segmentation from step 5.1.1 to the LGE-MRI dataset and segment the scar on the LGE MRI sequence.</li>
		<li>Copy the myocardium segmentation from step 5.1.1 to the T2*-weighted dataset and segment the SPIO depositions in the LV myocardium.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Process the fluorescence images and perform segmentations.
	<ol>
		<li>Load the files obtained from the variable-mode scanner and make a separate image of each cross-sectional heart slice.</li>
		<li>Flip the slices that were scanned in base to apex orientation and sort the fluorescence images into a stack for both channels that is oriented from apex to base.</li>
		<li>Segment the endocardial and epicardial LV borders on the fluorescence images.</li>
		<li>Segment the scar manually on the fluorescence images and use the LGE-MRI scan and the photographs to confirm scar morphology.</li>
		<li>Subtract the image stack of channel 2 from the image stack of channel 1 to exclude auto-fluorescence. Manually segment the fluorescent microbead depositions and use the T2* images for confirmation.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>To create an anatomically-correct 3D geometry, perform a rigid registration of the slices in the image stack based on the reference structures (the holes created by the rigid tubes). Calculate and store the applied translation and rotation of each image.</li>
	<li>Apply the stored transformations to the image stacks and the segmentations. Linearly interpolate the segmentations of both sides of the slices to reconstruct the original slice thickness and to create a 3D model of the data.</li>
</ol>
6. Analysis
<ol>
	<li>Perform 2D and/or 3D measurements of the distance between the centers of the injection sites and the IBZ to assess the injection accuracy. Measure the distance along the endocardial border of the LV segmentation. In Figure 2C and 2F, an example of the 2D and 3D measurements is indicated by the red line.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Nowbar, A. N., Howard, J. P., Ja Finegold, ., Asaria, P., Francis, D. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=2014+global+geographic+analysis+of+mortality+from+ischaemic+heart+disease+by+country,+age+and+income:+statistics+from+World+Health+Organisation+and+United+Nations.">2014 global geographic analysis of mortality from ischaemic heart disease by country, age and income: statistics from World Health Organisation and United Nations.</a> Int J Cardiol. 174 (2), 293-298 (2014).</li><li>Kannel, W. B., Belanger, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epidemiology+of+heart+failure.">Epidemiology of heart failure.</a> Am Heart J. 121 (3), 951-957 (1991).</li><li>Ib&#225;&#241;ez, B., Heusch, G., Ovize, M., Van De Werf, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evolving+therapies+for+myocardial+ischemia/reperfusion+injury.">Evolving therapies for myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.</a> J Am Coll Cardiol. 65 (14), 1454-1471 (2015).</li><li>Bartunek, J., Vanderheyden, M., Hill, J., Terzic, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cells+as+biologics+for+cardiac+repair+in+ischaemic+heart+failure.">Cells as biologics for cardiac repair in ischaemic heart failure.</a> Heart. 96 (10), 792-800 (2010).</li><li>Orlic, D., Kajstura, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bone+marrow+cells+regenerate+infarcted+myocardium.">Bone marrow cells regenerate infarcted myocardium.</a> Nature. 410 (6829), 701-705 (2001).</li><li>Nguyen, P. K., Lan, F., Wang, Y., Wu, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Imaging:+Guiding+the+Clinical+Translation+of+Cardiac+Stem+Cell+Therapy.">Imaging: Guiding the Clinical Translation of Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy.</a> Circ Res. 109 (8), 962-979 (2011).</li><li>Psaltis, P. J., Worthley, S. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endoventricular+electromechanical+mapping-the+diagnostic+and+therapeutic+utility+of+the+NOGA+XP+Cardiac+Navigation+System.">Endoventricular electromechanical mapping-the diagnostic and therapeutic utility of the NOGA XP Cardiac Navigation System.</a> J Cardiovasc Transl Res. 2 (1), 48-62 (2009).</li><li>Tomkowiak, M. T., Klein, A. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Targeted+transendocardial+therapeutic+delivery+guided+by+MRI-x-ray+image+fusion.">Targeted transendocardial therapeutic delivery guided by MRI-x-ray image fusion.</a> Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 78 (3), 468-478 (2011).</li><li>Dauwe, D. F., Nuyens, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Three-dimensional+rotational+angiography+fused+with+multimodal+imaging+modalities+for+targeted+endomyocardial+injections+in+the+ischaemic+heart.">Three-dimensional rotational angiography fused with multimodal imaging modalities for targeted endomyocardial injections in the ischaemic heart.</a> Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. 15 (8), 900-907 (2014).</li><li>van Slochteren, F. J., van Es, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multimodality+infarct+identification+for+optimal+image-guided+intramyocardial+cell+injections.">Multimodality infarct identification for optimal image-guided intramyocardial cell injections.</a> Neth Heart J. 22 (11), 493-500 (2014).</li><li>van Slochteren, F. J., van Es, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Three+dimensional+fusion+of+electromechanical+mapping+and+magnetic+resonance+imaging+for+real-time+navigation+of+intramyocardial+cell+injections+in+a+porcine+model+of+chronic+myocardial+infarction.">Three dimensional fusion of electromechanical mapping and magnetic resonance imaging for real-time navigation of intramyocardial cell injections in a porcine model of chronic myocardial infarction.</a> Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 32 (5), 833-843 (2016).</li><li>Pape, a. C. H., Bakker, M. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+Injectable+and+Drug-loaded+Supramolecular+Hydrogel+for+Local+Catheter+Injection+into+the+Pig+Heart.">An Injectable and Drug-loaded Supramolecular Hydrogel for Local Catheter Injection into the Pig Heart.</a> J Vis Exp. (100), (2015).</li><li>Bastings, M. M. C., Koudstaal, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+fast+pH-switchable+and+self-healing+supramolecular+hydrogel+carrier+for+guided,+local+catheter+injection+in+the+infarcted+myocardium.">A fast pH-switchable and self-healing supramolecular hydrogel carrier for guided, local catheter injection in the infarcted myocardium.</a> Adv Healthc Mater. 3 (1), 70-78 (2014).</li><li>Koudstaal, S., Jansen of Lorkeers, S. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Myocardial+infarction+and+functional+outcome+assessment+in+pigs.">Myocardial infarction and functional outcome assessment in pigs.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (86), (2014).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Whole-heart 3D myocardial tissue processing according to this protocol provides a structured method that enables the 3D analysis of the infarct, the IBZ, and the performed injections with respect to the cardiac anatomy. The filling volume of the heart depends on the desired analysis. In this study, to assess the injection accuracy, we aimed to fill the heart to resemble the end-diastolic geometry as closely as possible. To enforce this, the LV apex is fixed to the bottom of the container and the LV is filled with agar wh...

Ischemic heart disease has been the world&#39;s leading cause of death for the past decades1. Acute treatment after myocardial infarction aims to restore blood flow to the myocardium via percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting. In severe infarctions, a large area of the myocardium is scarred, and these cases often result in ischemic heart failure (HF)2. Current treatment options for HF focus on prevention and the preservation of cardiac function for the HF patients, but not on regeneration.
In the last decade, cardiac regenerative therapies have been investigated as a treatment option for HF3. This therapy aims to deliver biologicals, such as stem cells or growth factors, directly to the injured myocardium to induce revascularization, cardiomyocyte protection, differentiation, and growth4. For optimal therapeutic effect, it is hypothesized that the biological must be injected in the infarct border zone (IBZ) to facilitate good tissue perfusion for the survival of the biological and for optimal effect to the target zone5,6. Multiple techniques have been developed to perform identification and visualization of the IBZ to guide intramyocardial injections7,8,9,10,11. Besides identification and visualization of the IBZ, the delivery also relies on the biomaterials and injection catheters used. To validate the injection accuracy of the delivery techniques, an accurate and reproducible quantification method is required.
We have developed a protocol for whole-heart myocardial tissue processing that offers two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) imaging, which can be used for qualitative and quantitative study aims. The protocol covers the embedding process and the digital image analysis. In this paper, we demonstrate a protocol for the assessment of the targeting accuracy of intramyocardial injections in the IBZ in a large porcine model of chronic myocardial infarction.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="610">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:216px;">0.9% Saline</td>
			<td style="width:108px;">Braun</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="38">
			<td height="38" style="height:38px;width:216px;">Agarose</td>
			<td style="width:108px;">Roche Diagnostics</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Scientific grade multipurpose agar</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Biomolecular fluorescence scanner Typhoon 9410&#160;</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:216px;">Embedding container</td>
			<td style="width:108px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Plastic, dimensions 17 x 14,5 x 14 cm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="39">
			<td height="39" style="height:39px;width:216px;">FluoSpheres Polystyrene Microspheres</td>
			<td style="width:108px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td>F8834</td>
			<td>red, 10 &#181;m</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:216px;">Gadolinium</td>
			<td style="width:108px;">Gadovist</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>1,0 mmol/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:216px;">dS 32 channel head coil</td>
			<td style="width:108px;">Philips</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Or similar</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="38">
			<td height="38" style="height:38px;width:216px;">Matlab</td>
			<td style="width:108px;">Mathworks</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:167px;">To insure compatability 2015a or newer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:216px;">Meat slicer</td>
			<td style="width:108px;">Berkel</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="39">
			<td height="39" style="height:39px;width:216px;">Myostar injection catheter</td>
			<td style="width:108px;">Biosense Webster</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="39">
			<td height="39" style="height:39px;width:216px;">Super paramagnetic iron oxide particles</td>
			<td style="width:108px;">Sinerem</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:216px;">Triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride</td>
			<td style="width:108px;">Merck</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">UPy-PEG10k</td>
			<td style="width:108px;"></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:216px;">Vicryl 2-0</td>
			<td style="width:108px;">Ethicon</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

3d whole-heart myocardial tissue analysis

Cardiac regenerative therapies aim to protect and repair the injured heart in patients with ischemic heart disease. By injecting stem cells or other biologicals that enhance angio- or vasculogenesis into the infarct border zone (IBZ), tissue perfusion is improved, and the myocardium can be protected from further damage. For maximum therapeutic effect, it is hypothesized that the regenerative substance is best delivered to the IBZ. This requires accurate injections and has led to the development of new injection techniques. To validate these new techniques, we have designed a validation protocol based on myocardial tissue analysis. This protocol includes whole-heart myocardial tissue processing that enables detailed two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) analysis of the cardiac anatomy and intramyocardial injections. In a pig, myocardial infarction was created by a 90-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Four weeks later, a mixture of a hydrogel with superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIOs) and fluorescent beads was injected in the IBZ using a minimally-invasive endocardial approach. 1 h after the injection procedure, the pig was euthanized, and the heart was excised and embedded in agarose (agar). After the solidification of the agar, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), slicing of the heart, and fluorescence imaging were performed. After image post-processing, 3D analysis was performed to assess the IBZ targeting accuracy. This protocol provides a structured and reproducible method for the assessment of the targeting accuracy of intramyocardial injections into the IBZ. The protocol can be easily used when the processing of scar tissue and/or validation of the injection accuracy of the whole heart is desired.

Tissue Embedding
Through the embedding process, an end-diastolic-like geometry was established. The agar successfully adhered to the heart tissue, enabling the tissue to be sliced at the desired angulation with equal slice thicknesses (Figure 2A and 2C).
Scar- and Injection-site Assessment
<p class="jove_content" fo:keep-together.within-...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about 3D Whole-heart Myocardial Tissue Analysis at JoVE.com

3D Whole-heart Myocardial Tissue Analysis

This protocol describes a novel method for the 3D comparison of whole-heart myocardial tissue with MRI. This is designed for the accurate assessment of intramyocardial injections in the infarct border zone of a chronic porcine model of myocardial infarction.

Cardiac regenerative therapies aim to protect and repair the injured heart in patients with ischemic heart disease. By injecting stem cells or other ...

3d-whole-heart-myocardial-tissue-analysis

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

8.6K Views.  University Medical Center Utrecht. This protocol describes a novel method for the 3D comparison of whole-heart myocardial tissue with MRI. This is designed for the accurate assessment of intramyocardial injections in the infarct border zone of a chronic porcine model of myocardial infarction. 

Video: 3D Whole-heart Myocardial Tissue Analysis

Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats

With heart failure leading the cause of death in the USA (Hunt), biomedical research is fundamental to advance medical treatments for cardiovascular diseases. Animal models that mimic human cardiac disease, such as myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemia-reperfusion (IR) that induces heart failure as well as pressure-overload (transverse aortic constriction) that induces cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure (Goldman and Tarnavski), are useful models to study cardiovascular disease. In particular, myocardial ischemia (MI) is a leading cause for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality despite controlling certain risk factors such as arteriosclerosis and treatments via surgical intervention (Thygesen). Furthermore, an acute loss of the myocardium following myocardial ischemia (MI) results in increased loading conditions that induces ventricular remodeling of the infarcted border zone and the remote non-infarcted myocardium. Myocyte apoptosis, necrosis and the resultant increased hemodynamic load activate multiple biochemical intracellular signaling that initiates LV dilatation, hypertrophy, ventricular shape distortion, and collagen scar formation. This pathological remodeling and failure to normalize the increased wall stresses results in progressive dilatation, recruitment of the border zone myocardium into the scar, and eventually deterioration in myocardial contractile function (i.e. heart failure). The progression of LV dysfunction and heart failure in rats is similar to that observed in patients who sustain a large myocardial infarction, survive and subsequently develops heart failure (Goldman). The acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model in rats has been used to mimic human cardiovascular disease; specifically used to study cardiac signaling mechanisms associated with heart failure as well as to assess the contribution of therapeutic strategies for the treatment of heart failure. The method described in this report is the rat model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This model is also referred to as an acute ischemic cardiomyopathy or ischemia followed by reperfusion (IR); which is induced by an acute 30-minute period of ischemia by ligation of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) followed by reperfusion of the tissue by releasing the LAD ligation (Vasilyev and McConnell). This protocol will focus on assessment of the infarct size and the area-at-risk (AAR) by Evan's blue dye and triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) following 4-hours of reperfusion; additional comments toward the evaluation of cardiac function and remodeling by modifying the duration of reperfusion, is also presented. Overall, this AMI rat animal model is useful for studying the consequence of a myocardial infarction on cardiac pathophysiological and physiological function.

The rat model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is useful to study the consequence of a MI on cardiac pathophysiological and physiological function.

With heart failure leading the cause of death in the USA (Hunt), biomedical research is fundamental to advance medical treatments for cardiovascular ...

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis

Each year, an estimated 785,000 Americans will have a new coronary attack, or acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The pathophysiology of ACS involves rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque; hence, treatment is aimed at plaque stabilization in order to prevent cellular death. However, there is considerable debate among clinicians, about which treatment pathway is best: early invasive using percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI/stent) when indicated or a conservative approach (i.e., medication only with PCI/stent if recurrent symptoms occur).
There are three types of ACS: ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI), and unstable angina (UA). Among the three types, NSTEMI/UA is nearly four times as common as STEMI. Treatment decisions for NSTEMI/UA are based largely on symptoms and resting or exercise electrocardiograms (ECG). However, because of the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the atherosclerotic plaque, these methods often under detect myocardial ischemia because symptoms are unreliable, and/or continuous ECG monitoring was not utilized.
Continuous 12-lead ECG monitoring, which is both inexpensive and non-invasive, can identify transient episodes of myocardial ischemia, a precursor to MI, even when asymptomatic. However, continuous 12-lead ECG monitoring is not usual hospital practice; rather, only two leads are typically monitored. Information obtained with 12-lead ECG monitoring might provide useful information for deciding the best ACS treatment.
Purpose. Therefore, using 12-lead ECG monitoring, the COMPARE Study (electroCardiographic evaluatiOn of ischeMia comParing invAsive to phaRmacological trEatment) was designed to assess the frequency and clinical consequences of transient myocardial ischemia, in patients with NSTEMI/UA treated with either early invasive PCI/stent or those managed conservatively (medications or PCI/stent following recurrent symptoms). The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the methodology used in the COMPARE Study.
Method. Permission to proceed with this study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the hospital and the university. Research nurses identify hospitalized patients from the emergency department and telemetry unit with suspected ACS. Once consented, a 12-lead ECG Holter monitor is applied, and remains in place during the patient's entire hospital stay. Patients are also maintained on the routine bedside ECG monitoring system per hospital protocol. Off-line ECG analysis is done using sophisticated software and careful human oversight.

Continuous 12-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring can identify transient myocardial ischemia, even when asymptomatic, among patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In this article we describe our method for initiating patient monitoring using a Holter device, downloading the ECG data for off-line analysis, and how to utilize the ECG software to identify transient ischemia.

Each year, an estimated 785,000 Americans will have a new coronary attack, or acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The pathophysiology of ACS involves rupture ...

Ultrasonic Assessment of Myocardial Microstructure

Echocardiography is a widely accessible imaging modality that is commonly used to noninvasively characterize and quantify changes in cardiac structure and function. Ultrasonic assessments of cardiac tissue can include analyses of backscatter signal intensity within a given region of interest. Previously established techniques have relied predominantly on the integrated or mean value of backscatter signal intensities, which may be susceptible to variability from aliased data from low frame rates and time delays for algorithms based on cyclic variation. Herein, we describe an ultrasound-based imaging algorithm that extends from previous methods, can be applied to a single image frame&#160;and accounts for the full distribution of signal intensity values derived from a given myocardial sample. When applied to representative mouse and human imaging data, the algorithm distinguishes between subjects with and without exposure to chronic afterload resistance. The algorithm offers an enhanced surrogate measure of myocardial microstructure and can be performed using open-access image analysis software.

Echocardiography is commonly used to noninvasively characterize and quantify changes in cardiac structure and function. We describe an ultrasound-based imaging algorithm that offers an enhanced surrogate measure of myocardial microstructure and can be performed using open-access image analysis software.

Echocardiography is a widely accessible imaging modality that is commonly used to noninvasively characterize and quantify changes in cardiac structure and ...

Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs

Introduction of newly discovered cardiovascular therapeutics into first-in-man trials depends on a strictly regulated ethical and legal roadmap. One important prerequisite is a good understanding of all safety and efficacy aspects obtained in a large animal model that validly reflect the human scenario of myocardial infarction (MI). Pigs are widely used in this regard since their cardiac size, hemodynamics, and coronary anatomy are close to that of humans. Here, we present an effective protocol for using the porcine MI model using a closed-chest coronary balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), followed by reperfusion. This approach is based on 90 min of myocardial ischemia, inducing large left ventricle infarction of the anterior, septal and inferoseptal walls. Furthermore, we present protocols for various measures of outcome that provide a wide range of information on the heart, such as cardiac systolic and diastolic function, hemodynamics, coronary flow velocity, microvascular resistance, and infarct size. This protocol can be easily tailored to meet study specific requirements for the validation of novel cardioregenerative biologics at different stages (i.e. directly after the acute ischemic insult, in the subacute setting or even in the chronic MI once scar formation has been completed). This model therefore provides a useful translational tool to study MI, subsequent adverse remodeling, and the potential of novel cardioregenerative agents.

This protocol describes the porcine myocardial infarction (MI) model using a 90 min closed-chest coronary balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD), followed by reperfusion. Furthermore, the protocol for several outcome parameters, such as cardiac function, hemodynamics, microvascular resistance, and infarct size, are also presented.

Introduction of newly discovered cardiovascular therapeutics into first-in-man trials depends on a strictly regulated ethical and legal roadmap. One ...

Histological Quantification of Chronic Myocardial Infarct in Rats

Myocardial infarction is defined as cardiomyocyte death due to prolonged ischemia; an inflammatory response and scar formation (fibrosis) follow the ischemic injury. Following the initial acute phase, chronic remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) modifies the structure and function of the heart. Permanent coronary ligation in small animals has been widely used as a reference model for a chronic model of MI. Thinning of the infarcted wall progressively develops to transmural fibrosis. Histological assessment of infarct size is commonly performed; nevertheless, a standardization of the methods for quantification is missing. Indeed, important methodological aspects, such as the number of sections analyzed and the sampling and quantification methods, are usually not described and therefore preclude comparison across investigations. Too often, quantification is performed on a single section obtained at the level of the papillary muscles. Because novel strategies aimed at reducing infarct expansion and remodeling are under investigation, there is an important need for the standardization of accurate heart sampling protocols. We describe an accurate method to quantify the infarct size using a systematic sampling of harvested rat heart and image analyses of trichromatic stained histological sections obtained from base to apex. We also provide evidence that calculating the expansion index (EI) allowed for infarct size assessment, taking into account changes of the left ventricle throughout the remodeling.

The post-mortem assessment of myocardial infarction (MI) in rodents is based on quantification of the infarct on stained heart sections. We describe an accurate method to quantify the infarct size using systematic sampling of harvested rat hearts from base to apex and image analyses of trichrome-stained histological sections.

Myocardial infarction is defined as cardiomyocyte death due to prolonged ischemia; an inflammatory response and scar formation (fibrosis) follow the ...

3D Ultrasound Imaging: Fast and Cost-effective Morphometry of Musculoskeletal Tissue

The developmental goal of 3D ultrasound imaging (3DUS) is to engineer a modality to perform 3D morphological ultrasound analysis of human muscles. 3DUS images are constructed from calibrated freehand 2D B-mode ultrasound images, which are positioned into a voxel array. Ultrasound (US) imaging allows quantification of muscle size, fascicle length, and angle of pennation. These morphological variables are important determinants of muscle force and length range of force exertion. The presented protocol describes an approach to determine volume and fascicle length of m.&#160;vastus lateralis and m.&#160;gastrocnemius medialis. 3DUS facilitates standardization using 3D anatomical references. This approach provides a fast and cost-effective approach for quantifying 3D morphology in skeletal muscles. In healthcare and sports, information on the morphometry of muscles is very valuable in diagnostics and/or follow-up evaluations after treatment or training.

3D ultrasound imaging (3DUS) allows fast and cost-effective morphometry of musculoskeletal tissues. We present a protocol to measure muscle volume and fascicle length using 3DUS.

The developmental goal of 3D ultrasound imaging (3DUS) is to engineer a modality to perform 3D morphological ultrasound analysis of human muscles. 3DUS ...

Improvement of a Closed Chest Porcine Myocardial Infarction Model by Standardization of Tissue and Blood Sampling Procedures

Myocardial ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury contributes to almost half of the necrotic area after myocardial infarction. To date there is no approved drug to prevent or reduce myocardial I/R injury. The study and understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of myocardial I/R injury is essential to develop successful treatments. Large animal experiments are an important step in translational methods. The porcine model of acute myocardial infarction has been established and described by ourselves and others. We aimed to further improve the value of the model by focusing in detail on the sampling techniques for use in future experiments. Furthermore, we emphasize small but important steps that can affect the quality of the final results. To mimic the clinical situation of myocardial I/R injury, a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) catheter was inserted into the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) of an anesthetized pig. &#176;&#176;&#176;This model mimics acute myocardial infarction and PCI treatment in humans with the possibility of accurately determining the area at risk as well as the necrotic- and viable ischemic tissue. Here the model was used to investigate the effect of a bicyclic peptide inhibitor of FXIIa. The model can also be modified to allow longer reperfusion times to study later effects of myocardial infarction.

Here we demonstrate a protocol to standardize sampling procedures of an established porcine model of acute myocardial infarction in order to increase its translational value in the understanding of the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and to test novel drug candidates.

Myocardial ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury contributes to almost half of the necrotic area after myocardial infarction. To date there is no approved ...

Real-time Pressure-volume Analysis of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Mice

Acute myocardial infarction can lead to acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock. The evaluation of hemodynamics is critical for the evaluation of any potential therapeutic approach directed against acute left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Current imaging modalities (e.g., echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging) have several limitations since data on LV pressure cannot directly be measured. LV catheterization in mice undergoing coronary artery occlusion could serve as a novel method for a real-time evaluation of LV function.
At the beginning of the procedure, mice were anesthetized followed by endotracheal intubation. For LV catheterization, the right carotid artery was exposed via middle-neck incision. The catheter was introduced and placed into the LV cavity. Left thoracotomy was conducted and the left main coronary artery (LCA) was ligated. To induce reperfusion, the suture was released after 45 min. Pressure-volume data was recorded at all times.
Ligation of the LCA caused a decrease in LV systolic function as evidenced by a 30% reduction in stroke volume, LV ejection fraction (EF), and cardiac output. Maximum dP/dt as a parameter for LV contractility was also significantly reduced and diastolic function was severely impaired (minimum dP/dt -40%). Reperfusion over a period of 20 min did not lead to a complete recovery of LV function.
Real-time pressure-volume analysis served as a valid procedure for monitoring cardiac function during acute myocardial infarction in mice. Maintaining stable anesthesia and a standardized surgical approach was crucial to ensure valid results. As the early phase of acute myocardial infarction is critical for morbidity and mortality, the delineated method could be beneficial for preclinical evaluation of new strategies for cardioprotection.

Acute myocardial infarction in mice induces acute but incompletely characterized changes in left ventricular (LV) function. LV catheterization in mice undergoing coronary artery occlusion serves as a novel method for a real-time evaluation of LV function.

Acute myocardial infarction can lead to acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock. The evaluation of hemodynamics is critical for the evaluation of any ...

Generation of Human 3D Lung Tissue Cultures (3D-LTCs) for Disease Modeling

Translation of novel discoveries to human disease is limited by the availability of human tissue-based models of disease. Precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) used as 3D lung tissue cultures (3D-LTCs) represent an elegant and biologically highly relevant 3D cell culture model, which highly resemble in situ tissue due to their complexity, biomechanics and molecular composition. Tissue slicing is widely applied in various animal models. 3D-LTCs derived from human PCLS can be used to analyze responses to novel drugs, which might further help to better understand the mechanisms and functional effects of drugs in human tissue. The preparation of PCLS from surgically resected lung tissue samples of patients, who experienced lung lobectomy, increases the accessibility of diseased and peritumoral tissue. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for the generation of human PCLS from surgically resected soft-elastic patient lung tissue. Agarose was introduced into the bronchoalveolar space of the resectates, thus preserving lung structure and increasing the tissue&#39;s stiffness, which is crucial for subsequent slicing. 500 &#181;m thick slices were prepared from the tissue block with a vibratome. Biopsy punches taken from PCLS ensure comparable tissue sample sizes and further increase the amount of tissue samples. The generated lung tissue cultures can be applied in a variety of studies in human lung biology, including the pathophysiology and mechanisms of different diseases, such as fibrotic processes at its best at (sub-)cellular levels. The highest benefit of the 3D-LTC ex vivo model is its close representation of the in situ human lung in respect of 3D tissue architecture, cell type diversity and lung anatomy as well as the potential for assessment of tissue from individual patients, which is relevant to further develop novel strategies for precision medicine.

Generation of Human 3D Lung Tissue Cultures 3D-LTCs for Disease Modeling

Here, we present a protocol for the preparation of agarose-filled human precision-cut lung slices from resected patient tissue that are suitable for generating 3D lung tissue cultures to model human lung diseases in biological and biomedical studies.

Translation of novel discoveries to human disease is limited by the availability of human tissue-based models of disease. Precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) ...

Use of 3D Robotic Ultrasound for In Vivo Analysis of Mouse Kidneys

Common modalities for in vivo imaging of rodents include positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (US). Each method has limitations and advantages, including availability, ease of use, cost, size, and the use of ionizing radiation or magnetic fields. This protocol describes the use of 3D robotic US for in vivo imaging of rodent kidneys and heart, subsequent data analysis, and possible research applications. Practical applications of robotic US are the quantification of total kidney volume (TKV), as well as the measurement of cysts, tumors, and vasculature. Although the resolution is not as high as other modalities, robotic US allows for more practical high throughput data collection. Furthermore, using US M-mode imaging, cardiac function may be quantified. Since the kidneys receive 20%-25% of the cardiac output, assessing cardiac function is critical to the understanding of kidney physiology and pathophysiology.

Use of 3D Robotic Ultrasound for In Vivo Analysis of Mouse Kidneys

This protocol demonstrates robotic ultrasound (US) as a practical, cost-effective, and quick alternative to traditional non-invasive image modalities.

Common modalities for in vivo imaging of rodents include positron emission tomography (PET), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ...