Measurement of Pulse Propagation Velocity, Distensibility and Strain in an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Mouse Model

Summary

This manuscript describes a detailed protocol for using high frequency ultrasound imaging to measure luminal diameter, pulse propagation velocity, distensibility and radial strain on a mouse model of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abstract

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is defined as a localized dilation of the abdominal aorta that exceeds the maximal intraluminal diameter (MILD) by 1.5 times of its original size. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that small aneurysms may rupture, while a subpopulation of large aneurysms may remain stable. Thus, in addition to the measurement of intraluminal diameter of the aorta, knowledge of structural traits of the vessel wall may provide important information to assess the stability of the AAA. Aortic stiffening has recently emerged as a reliable tool to determine early changes in the vascular wall. Pulse propagation velocity (PPV) along with the distensibility and radial strain are highly useful ultrasound-based methods relevant for assessing aortic stiffness. The primary purpose of this protocol is to provide a comprehensive technique for the use of ultrasound imaging system to acquire images and analyze the structural and functional properties of the aorta as determined by MILD, PPV, distensibility and radial strain.

Introduction

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) represents a significant cardiovascular disease characterized by a permanent localized dilation of the aorta exceeding the original vessel diameter by 1.5 times¹. AAA ranks among the top 13 causes of mortality in the United States². The progression of AAA is attributed to the degeneration of the aortic wall and elastin fragmentation, ultimately leading to aortic rupture. These changes in the aortic wall may occur without a significant increase in the maximal intraluminal diameter (MILD), thus suggesting that MILD alone is not sufficient to predict the severity of the disease

Protocol

The protocol for handling of mice and ultrasound imaging was approved by the University of Missouri Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (animal protocol number 8799) and was conducted according to AAALAC International.

1. Equipment setup and preparation of mice

1. Equipment setup
   1. Turn on the ultrasound instrument, ultrasonic gel warmer and the heating pad.
   2. Open the ultrasound program and enter the study name and descriptive information for each mouse.
   3. Select the application as General Imaging.
   4. Choose the appropriate transducer for abdominal imaging (

Results

Representative M-mode images of the normal and aneurysmal abdominal aorta from mice are shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2B, respectively. The suprarenal abdominal aorta is identified by its location next to right renal artery and the superior mesenteric artery (Figure 2A). Representative images used for the calculation of MILD, at three different heartbeats of the systolic cardiac cyc.......

Discussion

Ultrasound imaging provides a powerful technique for determining functional properties of the aorta through measurements of PPV, distensibility and radial strain. These measurements are particularly instructive for studying mouse models of AAA and the in vivo approach allows for collection of longitudinal data that is potentially important to understanding temporal development of the aortic pathology. Specifically, measurements of in vivo aortic stiffness are determined locally in the abdominal aorta by PPV, distensibili.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Angiotensin II	Sigma	A9525
Apoe-/- mice	The Jackon lab
Clippers	WAHL	1854
Cotton swab	Q-tips
DAPT	Sigma	D5942
Depilatory cream	Nair	LL9038
Electrode cream	Sigma	17-05
Gel warmer	Thermasonic (Parker)	82-03 (LED)
Heating pad	Stryker	T/pump professional
Isoflurane	VetOne	Fluriso TM
Isoflurane vaporizer	Visualsonics	VS4244
Lubricating ophthalmic ointment	Lacri-lube
Osmotic pumps	Alzet	Model 2004
Oxygen tank	Air gas
Tranducer	Visualsonics	MS-400 or MS550D
Ultrasonic gel	Parker	Aquasonic clear
Ultrasound Imaging System	Visualsonics	Vevo 2100
Vevo Vasc Software	Visualsonics