This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81770271; to Y, Liao), the Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1908205; to Y, Liao), and the Municipal Planning Projects of Scientific Technology of Guangzhou (201804020083; to Dr Liao).

All procedures were carried out following the guidelines of the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals published by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH Publication No. 85-23, revised in 1996). C57BL/6J male mice (8&#8211;10 weeks, 20&#8211;25 g) were provided by the Animal Center of South Medical University.
1. Preoperative preparation
<ol>
	<li>Pinch off the tip of a 25 G needle with a needle holder and blunt it with a hard object like the holder.</li>
	<li>Pass a 5&#8211;0 absorbable suture through the needle and then curve it to 90&#176; with a holder13. 
	NOTE: According to different research purposes, investigators could select absorbable lines with different absorption time. In this protocol, we used a 2-week absorbable suture to constrict the aortic arch.</li>
	<li>Curve another 25 G needle to 120&#176; and smoothen the tip with a holder to be used as a spacer in the ligation step. 
	NOTE: A 25 G needle was used as a spacer for mice having body weight (BW) &#62;25 g. Use a 26 G needle for mice with 19&#8211;24 g BW.</li>
	<li>Disinfect the operative site with 75% alcohol.</li>
	<li>Adjust the heating pad temperature to 37 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Prepare sterilized surgical instruments (including 1 ophthalmic scissors, 1 micro scissors, 2 microsurgical elbow tweezers, 1 needle holder, and 1 micro needle holder).</li>
</ol>
2. Induction of anesthesia and shaving
<ol>
	<li>Anesthetize a mouse by intraperitoneal injection of a mixture of xylazine (5 mg/kg) and ketamine (100 mg/kg) diluted in saline solution (0.9% NaCl). Confirm complete anesthetization with the negative pedal withdrawal reflex.</li>
	<li>Keep the mouse in supine position by fixing the incisors with a suture and fixing the limbs with adhesive tapes.</li>
	<li>Apply depilatory cream to remove hair on its neck and xiphoid. Disinfect the area with iodine followed by 75% alcohol.</li>
</ol>
3. Surgery
<ol>
	<li>Make an incision over 10 mm at the midline position between supra-sternal notch and chest with a scalpel. Then, separate the skin and the superficial fascia.</li>
	<li>Identify the first intercostal space by counting the ribs from the sternal angle. Perform the incision in the first intercostal space and as close as possible to the sternum. Bluntly penetrate it with elbow tweezers to open this space.</li>
	<li>Gently separate the parenchyma and the thymus until the transverse aortic arch is visible. 
	NOTE: Do not damage the parietal pleura to avoid pneumothorax.</li>
	<li>Pass the 5&#8211;0 absorbable suture under the aortic arch between the brachiocephalic artery and the left common carotid artery with a latch needle14. Please make sure that the brachiocephalic artery, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery are visible in the operation field.</li>
	<li>Place the spacer, prepared in step 1.3, on the transverse aorta and perform a double knot on the spacer with the suture in step 3.4. 
	NOTE: The tip of the spacer must be blunt to avoid damaging the transverse aorta while removing it.</li>
	<li>Remove the spacer quickly but gently, and then cut the ends of the suture.</li>
	<li>Close the first intercostal space and the skin using 5&#8211;0 nylon sutures. Disinfect the skin again with 75% alcohol.</li>
	<li>Place the mouse on the heating pad to promote recovery. Inject buprenorphine (0.1 mg/kg, q12h) intraperitoneally for the first 3 days after the surgery.</li>
	<li>Return the mouse to the cage in a 12 h light/dark cycle room when it recovers consciousness.</li>
	<li>Perform sham surgery identical to all the above steps but without the constriction (step 3.5).</li>
	<li>Perform surgery for the silk suture group, identical to all the above steps but using a 5&#8211;0 silk suture in step 1.2.</li>
</ol>
4. Echocardiographic assessment of successful ligation and measurements
<ol>
	<li>Perform echocardiographic assessment on the Day (D) 7 after surgery.</li>
	<li>Anesthetize the mouse with 3% isoflurane through inhalation for induction, and 1.5% for maintaining the depth of anesthesia, with a 0.5&#8211;1 L/min oxygen flow rate.</li>
	<li>Place the mouse in supine position on the platform, maintained at 37 &#176;C, and tape its limbs to the electrode.</li>
	<li>Remove the chest hair with a depilatory cream and apply ultrasonic coupling agent to the mouse&#8217;s chest.</li>
	<li>Assess transverse aortic constriction with a 30 MHz probe.
	<ol>
		<li>Tilt the platform to the far left. Keep the probe in vertical position and lower it on the chest along the right parasternal line. Then, manipulate X-axis and Y-axis under B-mode until the aortic arch is clearly visible.</li>
		<li>Locate the constriction by B-mode to obtain the aortic arch view11. Use the color Doppler mode and pulsed wave to measure the peak flow velocity and select mice with a velocity of more than 3,000 mm/s as the TAC group (values are based on preliminary experiments).</li>
		<li>Calculate the pressure gradient according to the modified version of Bernoulli&#39;s equation11: 
		pressure gradient = 4 x Vmax2. 
		NOTE: The ideal pressure gradient for transverse aortic constriction model ranges from 40&#8211;80 mmHg11.</li>
		<li>Save the data and images using Cine Store and Frame Store.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Assess dimensions and contractility of left ventricular (LV) with a 30 MHz probe.
	<ol>
		<li>Reset the platform to the horizontal position. Keep the probe at 30&#176; counterclockwise relative to the left parasternal line.</li>
		<li>Use B-mode and manipulate X and Y to obtain a clear and full-long axis view of the heart.</li>
		<li>Press M-mode to show the indicator line. Acquire images with Cine Store and Frame Store for later measurement of the LV chamber dimension, fractional shortening, and LV wall thickness.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Once done, stop isoflurane inhalation and allow the mouse to recover from anesthesia. Then, return the animal to its cage in a 12 h light/dark cycle room.</li>
	<li>On D14 and D28 after surgery, repeat the above steps to measure the cardiac parameters and then harvest the heart for histological studies.</li>
</ol>

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R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ischemic+preconditioning+suppresses+ventricular+tachyarrhythmias+after+myocardial+revascularization.">Ischemic preconditioning suppresses ventricular tachyarrhythmias after myocardial revascularization.</a> Circulation. 106 (24), 3091-3096 (2002).</li><li>Hausenloy, D. J., Yellon, D. 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A., 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=Segregation+of+atrial-specific+and+inducible+expression+of+an+atrial+natriuretic+factor+transgene+in+an+in+vivo+murine+model+of+cardiac+hypertrophy.">Segregation of atrial-specific and inducible expression of an atrial natriuretic factor transgene in an in vivo murine model of cardiac hypertrophy.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciiences of the United States of America. 88 (18), 8277-8281 (1991).</li><li>Wei, X., 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+hypertrophic+preconditioning+attenuates+cardiomyocyte+hypertrophy+and+slows+progression+to+heart+failure+through+upregulation+of+S100A8/A9.">Myocardial hypertrophic preconditioning attenuates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and slows progression to heart failure through upregulation of S100A8/A9.</a> Circulation. 131 (17), 1506-1517 (2015).</li><li>Huang, 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=Ultrasound+biomicroscopy+validation+of+a+murine+model+of+cardiac+hypertrophic+preconditioning:+comparison+with+a+hemodynamic+assessment.">Ultrasound biomicroscopy validation of a murine model of cardiac hypertrophic preconditioning: comparison with a hemodynamic assessment.</a> American Journal of Physiology. 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The authors have nothing to disclose.

There is still a vastly underexplored area in cardiac non-ischemic preconditioning. Based on our previous studies, we switched to using absorbable sutures to improve the myocardial hypertrophic preconditioning model.
In previous reports, many investigators used silk suture to constrict the aortic arch8,14,15. Silk suture was easily available and was often used for surgical wound suture, tissue ligatio...

Ischemic preconditioning is a phenomenon that induces brief non-lethal episodes of ischemia and reperfusion to the heart and has the capacity to dramatically reduce myocardial injury1. Given the obvious clinical implications of ischemic preconditioning, such as limiting myocardial infarct size2 and suppressing ventricular tachyarrhythmias after myocardial revascularization3, there have been lots of research to dissect the mechanisms underlying cardio-protective effects induced by preconditioning4,5. In contrast, other non-ischemic types of preconditioning have received relatively little attention. Cardiac hypertrophy may be blunted in patients with aortic stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement6. Wherever the state of pathological myocardial hypertrophy exists, the principle of preconditioning is rarely reported.
In 1991, Rockman et al. firstly established a mouse model of left ventricular hypertrophy by transverse aortic constriction (TAC)7. By operating TAC twice in mice, we have previously proved that myocardial hypertrophic preconditioning (MHP) leads to transient hypertrophic stimulation in the heart thereby making the heart more resistant to sustained hypertrophic stress in the future8. The characteristics of the MHP model have been validated by ultrasound biomicroscope and hemodynamic assessment9. Key points in constructing the model was to perform thoracotomy three times, TAC for a week, debanding for a week, and secondary TAC for 6 weeks. However, debanding could cause bleeding, which made it difficult to be mastered by novices and difficult to be popularized. In addition, it is also a technical challenge to intubate mice. Improper intubation could cause tracheal injury, pneumothorax, and even death in mice. So, it is necessary and valuable to improve some procedures while constructing the MHP model.
To reduce the difficulty of the model and increase its success, we switched to absorbable sutures for the first TAC and monitored the model&#39;s success by measuring pressure gradient across the aortic constriction under echocardiography10. Based on our preliminary experiment, it would be difficult to induce sufficient myocardial hypertrophy in mice with too low-pressure gradient, while mice with too high-pressure gradient would develop acute heart failure or even die. The ideal pressure gradient for the model ranges from 40&#8211;80 mmHg11. In addition, this experiment did not rely on a ventilator, which could effectively avoid ventilator-associated technical manipulation and injury12.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Absorbable suture (5-0)</td>
			<td>Shandong Kang Lida Medical Products Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>5-0</td>
			<td>Ligation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Animal ultrasound system VEVO2100</td>
			<td>Visual Sonic</td>
			<td>VEVO2100</td>
			<td>Echocardiography</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cold light illuminator</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>ILD-2</td>
			<td>Light</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heat pad- thermostatic surgical system (ALC-HTP-S1)</td>
			<td>SHANGHAI ALCOTT BIOTECH CO</td>
			<td>ALC-HTP-S1</td>
			<td>Heating</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane</td>
			<td>RWD life science</td>
			<td>R510-22</td>
			<td>Inhalant anaesthesia</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Matrx VIP 3000 Isofurane Vaporizer</td>
			<td>Midmark Corporation</td>
			<td>VIP 3000</td>
			<td>Anesthetization</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Medical nylon suture (5-0)</td>
			<td>Ningbo Medical Needle Co.</td>
			<td>5-0</td>
			<td>Close the skin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pentobarbital sodium salt</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>25MG</td>
			<td>Anesthetization</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Precision electronic balance</td>
			<td>Denver Instrument</td>
			<td>TB-114</td>
			<td>Weighing sensor</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Self-made spacer</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>25-gauge needle</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silk suture (5-0)</td>
			<td>Yangzhou Yuankang Medical Devices Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>5-0</td>
			<td>Ligation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Small animal microsurgery equipment</td>
			<td>Napox</td>
			<td>MA-65</td>
			<td>Surgical instruments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Transmission Gel</td>
			<td>Guang Gong pai</td>
			<td>250ML</td>
			<td>Echocardiography</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Veet hair removal cream</td>
			<td>Reckitt Benchiser</td>
			<td>RQ/B 33 Type 2</td>
			<td>Remove hair of mice</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vertical automatic electrothermal pressure steam sterilizer</td>
			<td>Hefei Huatai Medical Equipment Co.</td>
			<td>LX-B50L</td>
			<td>Auto clean the surgical instruments</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

operating transverse aortic constriction with absorbable suture to obtain transient myocardial hypertrophy

Based on twice transverse aortic constrictions (TACs) in mice, it is proved that myocardial hypertrophic preconditioning (MHP) could attenuate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and slow down progression to heart failure. For novices, however, the MHP model is usually quite difficult to establish because of the technical obstacles in ventilator operation, opening the chest repeatedly, and bleeding caused by debanding. To facilitate this model, to increase the surgical success rate and to reduce the incidence of bleeding, we switched to absorbable sutures for the first TAC combing with a ventilator-free technique. Using a 2-week absorbable suture, we demonstrated that this procedure could cause significant myocardial hypertrophy in 2 weeks; and 4 weeks after surgery, myocardial hypertrophy was almost completely regressed to the baseline. Using this protocol, the operators could master the MHP model easily with a lower operation mortality.

In this study, we randomly divided 45 mice into three groups, the sham, the silk suture group, and the absorbable suture group (the number of each group on D0 (baseline), D14, and D28 after TAC was 15, 10, and 5, respectively). On D7, D14, D21, and D28 after the surgery, the constricted peak velocity was determined by echocardiography. We found that the blood flow velocity at the constriction was still greater than 3,000 mm/s in the second week after TAC even though an absorbable suture had been used to constrict the aor...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Operating Transverse Aortic Constriction with Absorbable Suture to Obtain Transient Myocardial Hypertrophy at JoVE.com

Operating Transverse Aortic Constriction with Absorbable Suture to Obtain Transient Myocardial Hypertrophy

This protocol presents an improved method to obtain transient myocardial hypertrophy with absorbable suture, simulating left ventricular hypertrophy decrease after removing pressure overload. It could be valuable for the studies on myocardial hypertrophic preconditioning.

Based on twice transverse aortic constrictions (TACs) in mice, it is proved that myocardial hypertrophic preconditioning (MHP) could attenuate ...

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6.1K Views.  Southern Medical University. This protocol presents an improved method to obtain transient myocardial hypertrophy with absorbable suture, simulating left ventricular hypertrophy decrease after removing pressure overload. It could be valuable for the studies on myocardial hypertrophic preconditioning.

Video: Operating Transverse Aortic Constriction with Absorbable Suture to Obtain Transient Myocardial Hypertrophy

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 ...

Ascending Aortic Constriction in Rats for Creation of Pressure Overload Cardiac Hypertrophy Model

Ascending aortic constriction is the most common and successful surgical model for creating pressure overload induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Here, we describe a detailed surgical procedure for creating pressure overload and cardiac hypertrophy in rats by constriction of the ascending aorta using a small metallic clip. After anesthesia, the trachea is intubated by inserting a cannula through a half way incision made between two cartilage rings of trachea. Then a skin incision is made at the level of the second intercostal space on the left chest wall and muscle layers are cleared to locate the ascending portion of aorta. The ascending aorta is constricted to 50&#8211;60% of its original diameter by application of a small sized titanium clip. Following aortic constriction, the second and third ribs are approximated with prolene sutures. The tracheal cannula is removed once spontaneous breathing was re-established. The animal is allowed to recover on the heating pad by gradually lowering anesthesia. The intensity of pressure overload created by constriction of the ascending aorta is determined by recording the pressure gradient using trans-thoracic two dimensional Doppler-echocardiography. Overall this protocol is useful to study the remodeling events and contractile properties of the heart during the gradual onset and progression from compensated cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure stage.

We describe a stepwise procedure for creating pressure overload and left ventricular hypertrophy in Wistar rats by constriction of the ascending aorta using a small metallic clip. This model is extensively used for studying remodeling changes during cardiac hypertrophy and for identifying and evaluating strategies for regression of such changes.

Ascending aortic constriction is the most common and successful surgical model for creating pressure overload induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart ...

Murine Isolated Heart Model of Myocardial Stunning Associated with Cardioplegic Arrest

The following protocol is of use to evaluate impaired cardiac function or myocardial stunning following moderate ischemic insults. The technique is useful for modeling ischemic injury associated with numerous clinically relevant phenomenon including cardiac surgery with cardioplegic arrest and cardiopulmonary bypass, off-pump CABG, transplant, angina, brief ischemia, etc. The protocol presents a general method to model hypothermic hyperkalemic cardioplegic arrest and reperfusion in rodent hearts focusing on measurement of myocardial contractile function. In brief, a mouse heart is perfused in langendorff mode, instrumented with an intraventricular balloon, and baseline cardiac functional parameters are recorded. Following stabilization, the heart is then subject to brief infusion of a cardioprotective hypothermic cardioplegia solution to initiate diastolic arrest. Cardioplegia is delivered intermittently over 2 hr. The heart is then reperfused and warmed to normothermic temperatures and recovery of myocardial function is monitored. Use of this protocol results in reliable depressed cardiac contractile function free from gross myocardial tissue damage in rodents.

The goal of this protocol to assess myocardial stunning following ischemic cardioplegic arrest in rodents.

The following protocol is of use to evaluate impaired cardiac function or myocardial stunning following moderate ischemic insults. The technique is useful ...

Assessment of Cardiac Morphological and Functional Changes in Mouse Model of Transverse Aortic Constriction by Echocardiographic Imaging

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice has been used as a valuable model to study mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure1. A reliable noninvasive method is essential to assess real-time cardiac morphological and functional changes in animal models of heart disease. Transthoracic echocardiography represents an important tool for noninvasive assessment of cardiac structure and function2. Here we used a high-resolution ultrasound imaging system to monitor myocardial remodeling and heart failure progression over time in a mouse model of TAC. B-mode, M-mode, and Doppler imaging were used to precisely assess cardiac hypertrophy, ventricular dilatation, and functional deterioration in mice following TAC. Color and pulse wave (PW) Doppler imaging was used to noninvasively measure pressure gradient across the aortic constriction created by TAC and to assess transmitral blood flow in mice. Thus transthoracic echocardiographic imaging provides comprehensive noninvasive measurements of cardiac dimensions and function in mouse models of heart disease.

The goal of this protocol is to noninvasively assess cardiac structural and functional changes in a mouse model of heart disease created by transverse aortic constriction, using B- and M-mode echocardiography and color/pulse wave Doppler imaging.

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice has been used as a valuable model to study mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure1. A reliable ...

Minimally Invasive Transverse Aortic Constriction in Mice

Minimally invasive transverse aortic constriction (MTAC) is a more desirable method for the constriction of the transverse aorta in mice than standard open-chest transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Although transverse aortic constriction is a highly functional method for the induction of high pressure in the left ventricle, it is a more difficult and lengthy procedure due to its use of artificial ventilation with tracheal intubation. TAC is oftentimes also less survivable, as the newer method, MTAC, neither requires the cutting of the ribs and intercostal muscles nor tracheal intubation with a ventilation setup. In MTAC, as opposed to a thoracotomy to access to the chest cavity, the aortic arch is reached through a midline incision in the anterior neck. The thyroid is pulled back to reveal the sternal notch. The sternum is subsequently cut down to the second rib level, and the aortic arch is reached simply by separating the connective tissues and thymus. From there, a suture can be wrapped around the arch and tied with a spacer, and then the sternal cut and skin can be closed. MTAC is a much faster and less invasive way to induce left ventricular hypertension and enables the possibility for high-throughput studies. The success of the constriction can be verified using high-frequency trans-thoracic echocardiography, particularly color Doppler and pulsed-wave Doppler, to determine the flow velocities of the aortic arch and left and right carotid arteries, the dimension of the blood vessels, and the left ventricular function and morphology. A successful constriction will also trigger significant histopathological changes, such as cardiac muscle cell hypertrophy with interstitial and perivascular fibrosis. Here, the procedure of MTAC is described, demonstrating how the resulting flow changes in the carotid arteries can be examined with echocardiography, gross morphology, and histopathological changes in the heart.

Minimally invasive transverse aortic constriction (MTAC) conserves the essentials of regular transverse aortic constriction (TAC) while eliminating the use of a ventilator with tracheal intubation. It proves to be a highly desirable method for high-throughput studies on left ventricular overload, particularly in translational studies.

Minimally invasive transverse aortic constriction (MTAC) is a more desirable method for the constriction of the transverse aorta in mice than standard ...

Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots

In patients with small aortic roots who need an aortic valve replacement with biological valve substitutes, the implantation of the stented pericardial valve might not meet the functional needs. The implantation of a too-small stented pericardial valve, leading to an effective orifice area indexed to a body surface area less than 0.85 cm2/m2, is regarded as prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM). A PPM negatively affects the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and thus the normalization of left ventricular function and the alleviation of symptoms. Persistent left ventricular hypertrophy is associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. In the case of predictable PPM, there are three options: 1) accept the PPM resulting from the implantation of a stented pericardial valve when comorbidities of the patient forbid the more technically demanding operative technique of implanting a larger prosthesis, 2) enlarge the aortic root to accommodate a larger stented valve substitute, or 3) implant a stentless biological valve or a homograft. Compared to classical aortic valve replacement with stented pericardial valves, the full-root implantation of stentless aortic xenografts offers the possibility of implanting a 3-4 mm larger valve in a given patient, thus allowing significant reduction in transvalvular gradients. However, a number of cardiac surgeons are reluctant to transform a classical aortic valve replacement with stented pericardial valves into the more technically challenging full-root implantation of stentless aortic xenografts. Given the potential hemodynamic advantages of stentless aortic xenografts, we have adopted full-root implantation to avoid PPM in patients with small aortic roots necessitating an aortic valve replacement. Here, we describe in detail a technique for the full-root implantation of stentless aortic xenografts, with emphasis on the management of the proximal suture line and coronary anastomoses. Limitations of this technique and alternative options are discussed.

Full-root aortic valve replacement by stentless aortic xenograft is a viable option in patients with small aortic roots. We describe, a technique for the full-root implantation of stentless aortic xenografts, with emphasis on the management of the proximal suture line and coronary anastomoses, and discuss its limitations and alternative options.

In patients with small aortic roots who need an aortic valve replacement with biological valve substitutes, the implantation of the stented pericardial ...

Technique of Minimally Invasive Transverse Aortic Constriction in Mice for Induction of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice is one of the most commonly used surgical techniques for experimental investigation of pressure overload-induced left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and its progression to heart failure. In the majority of the reported investigations, this procedure is performed with intubation and ventilation of the animal which renders it demanding and time-consuming and adds to the surgical burden to the animal. The aim of this protocol is to describe a simplified technique of minimally invasive TAC without intubation and ventilation of mice. Critical steps of the technique are emphasized in order to achieve low mortality and high efficiency in inducing LVH.
Male C57BL/6 mice (10-week-old, 25-30 g, n=60) were anesthetized with a single intraperitoneal injection of a mixture of ketamine and xylazine. In a spontaneously breathing animal following a 3-4 mm upper partial sternotomy, a segment of 6/0 silk suture threaded through the eye of a ligation aid was passed under the aortic arch and tied over a blunted 27-gauge needle. Sham-operated animals underwent the same surgical preparation but without aortic constriction. The efficacy of the procedure in inducing LVH is attested by a significant increase in the heart/body weight ratio. This ratio is obtained at days 3, 7, 14 and 28 after surgery (n = 6 - 10 in each group and each time point). Using our technique, LVH is observed in TAC compared to sham animals from day 7 through day 28. Operative and late (over 28 days) mortalities are both very low at 1.7%.
In conclusion, our cost-effective technique of minimally invasive TAC in mice carries very low operative and post-operative mortalities and is highly efficient in inducing LVH. It simplifies the operative procedure and reduces the strain put on the animal. It can be easily performed by following the critical steps described in this protocol.

The aim of this protocol is to describe step-by-step the technique of minimally invasive transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice. By elimination of intubation and ventilation which are mandatory for the commonly used standard procedure, minimally invasive TAC simplifies the operative procedure and reduces the strain put on the animal.

Transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice is one of the most commonly used surgical techniques for experimental investigation of pressure ...

A Closed-chest Model to Induce Transverse Aortic Constriction in Mice

Research on cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure is frequently based on pressure overload mouse models induced by TAC. The standard procedure is to perform a partial thoracotomy to visualize the transverse aortic arch. However, the surgical trauma caused by the thoracotomy in open-chest models changes the respiratory physiology as the ribs are dissected and left unattached after chest closure. To prevent this, we established a minimally invasive, closed chest approach via lateral thoracotomy. Herein we approach the aortic arch via the 2nd intercostal space without entering the chest cavities, leaving the mouse with a less traumatic injury to recover from. We perform this operation using standard laboratory settings for open chest TAC procedures with equal survival rates. Apart from maintaining physiological breathing patterns due to the closed chest approach, the mice seem to benefit by showing rapid recovery, as the less invasive technique appears to facilitate a fast healing process and to reduce immune response after trauma.

Here, we present a protocol of Transverse Aortic constriction (TAC) via a lateral thoracotomy. This technique is a minimally invasive, closed chest surgical procedure aiming to simulate pressure overload and heart failure in mice utilizing standard TAC laboratory settings.

Research on cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure is frequently based on pressure overload mouse models induced by TAC. The standard procedure is to ...

A Cryoinjury Model to Study Myocardial Infarction in the Mouse

The use of animal models is essential for developing new therapeutic strategies for acute coronary syndrome and its complications. In this article, we demonstrate a murine cryoinjury infarct model that generates precise infarct sizes with high reproducibility and replicability. In brief, after intubation and sternotomy of the animal, the heart is lifted from the thorax. The probe of a handheld liquid nitrogen delivery system is applied onto the myocardial wall to induce cryoinjury. Impaired ventricular function and electrical conduction can be monitored with echocardiography or optical mapping. Transmural myocardial remodeling of the infarcted area is characterized by collagen deposition and loss of cardiomyocytes. Compared to other models (e.g., LAD-ligation), this model utilizes a handheld liquid nitrogen delivery system to generate more uniform infarct sizes.

This article demonstrates a model to study cardiac remodeling after myocardial cryoinjury in mice.

The use of animal models is essential for developing new therapeutic strategies for acute coronary syndrome and its complications. In this article, we ...

Murine Cervical Aortic Transplantation Model using a Modified Non-Suture Cuff Technique

With the introduction of powerful immunosuppressive protocols, distinct advances are possible in the prevention and therapy of acute rejection episodes. However, only minor improvement in the long-term results of transplanted solid organs could be observed over the past decades. In this context, chronic allograft vasculopathy (CAV) still represents the leading cause of late organ failure in cardiac, renal and pulmonary transplantation.
Thus far, the underlying pathogenesis of CAV development remains unclear, explaining why effective treatment strategies are presently missing and emphasizing a need for relevant experimental models in order to study the underlying pathophysiology leading to CAV formation. The following protocol describes a murine heterotopic cervical aortic transplantation model using a modified non-suture cuff technique. In this technique, a segment of the thoracic aorta is interpositioned in the right common carotid artery. With the use of the non-suture cuff technique, an easy to learn and reproducible model can be established, minimizing the possible heterogeneity of sutured vascular micro anastomoses.

Here, we present a protocol of heterotopic aortic transplantation in mice using the non-suture cuff technique in a cervical murine model. This model can be used to study the underlying pathology of chronic allograft vasculopathy (CAV) and can help evaluate new therapeutic agents in order to prevent its formation.

With the introduction of powerful immunosuppressive protocols, distinct advances are possible in the prevention and therapy of acute rejection episodes. ...