Wireless Telemetry Device Implantation in a Fontan Ovine Model for Continuous and Long-Term Hemodynamic Monitoring

Marissa Guo; Tatsuya Watanabe; Cameron DeShetler; Satoshi Yuhara; Jennifer Kievert; Logan Spiess; Adrienne Morrison; Kirsten Nelson; Eric Heuer; Fahd Taha; John M. Kelly; Christopher K. Breuer

doi:10.3791/68068

A subscription to JoVE is required to view this content. Sign in or start your free trial.

Method Article

Wireless Telemetry Device Implantation in a Fontan Ovine Model for Continuous and Long-Term Hemodynamic Monitoring

1.4K views

⸱

DOI:

10.3791/68068

⸱

May 2nd, 2025

Marissa Guo¹^,² , Tatsuya Watanabe¹ , Cameron DeShetler¹ , Satoshi Yuhara¹ , Jennifer Kievert¹^,³ , Logan Spiess¹ , Adrienne Morrison¹ , Kirsten Nelson¹ , Eric Heuer¹ , Fahd Taha¹ , John M. Kelly¹^,⁴ , Christopher K. Breuer¹^,⁵

¹Center for Regenerative Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, ²Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, ³Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, ⁴Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, ⁵Department of Pediatric Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital

Summary

This protocol describes the surgical methodology for implanting a large animal wireless telemetry device to enable continuous and long-term collection of hemodynamic data, including heart rate, arterial blood pressure, inferior and superior vena cava pressures, and cardiac rhythm.

Abstract

While the Fontan procedure drastically improves life expectancy for patients with single ventricle, it is well recognized that the resulting circulation causes significant disease burden long term as a consequence of chronically elevated central venous pressures and decreased cardiac output. Chronic Fontan animal models are a valuable asset to studying the late physiological outcomes associated with this operation and a necessary tool in the evaluation of future devices designed to alleviate Fontan failure. However, previous attempts at the creation of chronic Fontan models have been hindered by poor survival rates. Additionally, effective hemodynamic data collection poses a significant challenge in freely moving animals. To this end, the use of wireless implantable telemetry systems provides a novel solution for real-time and long-term monitoring of cardiovascular data. This protocol describes the methodology for surgical implantation of a wireless telemetry device in a Fontan survival ovine model, facilitating the continuous and ongoing recording of several hemodynamic parameters, including heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and localized pressures in the inferior (IVC) and superior vena cava (SVC). Telemetry devices were implanted with cannulation of either the carotid artery and internal jugular vein or femoral artery and vein, for placement of pressure-sensing catheters in the ascending aorta and SVC or abdominal aorta and IVC, respectively. The use of the wireless telemetry systems enabled close postoperative monitoring following a single-stage Fontan operation, which contributed to improved animal welfare and survival.

Introduction

The development of the Fontan procedure in 1971 led to significant improvements in outcomes for patients with single ventricle¹. The purpose of this operation is to separate systemic and pulmonary venous return to the heart, thereby increasing systemic oxygenation and relieving volume load on the systemic ventricle. Since its introduction, numerous modifications have been made to the surgical approach. Currently, total bypass of the right heart is most often achieved through staged reconstruction²^,³. Typically, the first stage is performed during the first week of life^....