Transthoracic Echocardiographic Examination in the Rabbit Model

This video aims to demonstrate step by step a protocol for a research-grade echocardiographic examination in a large animal model such as the rabbit. This is accomplished by first anesthetizing the animal, and then carefully preparing the chest for the procedure. Next, after placing the rabbit on a thermal blanket and verifying that an ECG signal is correctly displayed, position the animal in a right recumbent position to obtain the imaging planes in both a parasternal long axis view, and a parasternal short axis view of the heart.

Then position the rabbit in a left recumbent position to obtain the different imaging planes available in an apical four chamber view, and an apical five chamber view of the heart. Movies and image stills should be acquired in B-Mode and M-Mode for analysis of cardiac systolic function as well as a combination of B-Mode, color doppler, and pulsed-wave doppler, PWD, for blood flow analysis. Or a combination of B-Mode and tissue doppler imaging, TDI, modes for analysis of the myocardial velocities in rabbit heart.