Name: Measurement of Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Rats Using Right Heart Catheterization (Video) | JoVE Journal
Uploaded: 2025-12-16T14:30:00.000+00:00
Duration: 7 min 21 s
Description: Learn an optimized right heart catheterization protocol for measuring pulmonary artery pressure in rat models of pulmonary hypertension. This method improves efficiency and reduces procedural risks for beginners.

ai_agent_IP

ai_agent

maintenance

instantTrialDurationMinutes

isBiopharma

enableNewMyJoveSectionDesign

educationFeatures

seoMetaApi

ai_copilot_institution_blacklist

ai_chat_institution_blacklist

freeAccessWindow

ssoRoleCapture

scheduledMaintenanceBanner

joveLabsFeatures

disable_autoplay_for_bots

extended_trial_duration

5 minutes

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 81971784, 81830062).

All procedures were conducted according to the guidelines of the Institutional Animal Care Committee of the Army Medical University. The procedures followed were performed in accordance with institutional guidelines. Due to the invasiveness of the right heart catheterization, the animals should be euthanized immediately after data acquisition. Euthanasia should be performed according to the institution's animal studies guidelines. Healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, specific pathogen-free (SPF) grade, body weight 300 ± 20 g were used here.
1. Preparation of the catheter
<ol>
	<li>Select a venous infusion needle (PVC tube) with an outer diameter of 1.6 mm, an inner diameter of 1.0 mm, and a length of 25 cm. Cut off the needle tip. Thread a copper wire with a diameter smaller than 1.0 mm into the tube.</li>
	<li>Make the tail end into a circle with a diameter of 7 mm (Figure 1A). The experimenter can use a cylindrical object of appropriate size (such as a pencil) to assist in bending the catheter. Immerse the circular end in water at 100 °C for 10 min and then take it out. Remove the copper wire. The tail end is similar to a pigtail, and the other end can be connected to a three-way stopcock (Figure 1B).</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Medical catheter types with ruler, diagram, illustrating catheter length measurements for clinical use." class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/69559/69559fig1.jpg" data-altupdatedat="1778558422000" data-alt="Figure 1"> 
Figure 1: Fabrication of the catheter. (A) Thread a copper wire through the PVC tube and bend the end of the tube into a 7mm diameter circle. (B) After immersing the circle end in 100 ℃ water for 10 minutes, remove the copper wire. The tube is shaped, resembling the shape of a pigtail. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/69559/69559fig1large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
2. Animal preparation
<ol>
	<li>Temperature control: Turn on the heating pad and set the temperature to 37 °C. Keep the temperature at 37°C throughout the surgery.</li>
	<li>Anesthetize the rat by intraperitoneal injection of 0.3 mL of 2% Sodium Pentobarbital per 100 g of body weight. To check that the animal is anesthetized, check for non-responsiveness of the paw or tail pinch. Avoid situations where animals wake up during surgery due to insufficient anesthesia, as well as deaths or other adverse effects caused by excessive anesthesia. During the surgery, continuously monitor whether the rat's heart rate and breathing are normal.</li>
	<li>Place the rat in a supine position on the heating pad of a rat operating table and secure its incisors and hind limbs to the operating table using rubber bands.</li>
</ol>
3. Operative procedure
<ol>
	<li>Shave the right cervical area and disinfect the area with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. Use tissue scissors to make a 2 cm incision in the skin on the right side of the neck. Use curved ophthalmic forceps to bluntly dissect the external jugular vein on the right side.</li>
	<li>Free about 1 cm of the vein. Ligate the distal end of the vein with a 5-0 suture thread. Tie a slipknot at the proximal end. Clamp the suture thread at the distal end with a hemostat and gently pull it towards the head to moderately tighten the blood vessel.</li>
	<li>For venotomy, bend the prepared No. 7 needle 45° in the opposite direction of the needle tip (Figure 2A), and puncture the external jugular vein towards the proximal end (Figure 2B). 
	CAUTION: Needles are considered sharp instruments. Avoid direct contact with the pointed end when using them.</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Surgical procedure showing angled needle insertion and tissue manipulation in medical experiment." class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/69559/69559fig2.jpg" data-altupdatedat="1778558422000" data-alt="Figure 2"> 
Figure 2: Tool of Venotomy. (A) Bend the No. 7 needle 45° in the opposite direction of the needle tip. (B) Puncture the external jugular vein towards the proximal end. Due to the previous bending of the needle, the experimenter's operation will be more convenient. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/69559/69559fig2large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<ol start="4">
	<li>Fill the cardiac catheter connected to the three-way stopcock with heparin sodium solution and close the three-way stopcock. 
	NOTE: Heparin, as an anticoagulant, can prevent blood clots from forming during catheterization. Prepare 500 mL of heparin sodium solution at 1000 IU/mL by mixing sodium heparin and normal saline.</li>
	<li>Insert the bent tip of the self-made No. 7 needle into the vein, lift it up, and insert the curved ophthalmic forceps into the vein along the way to open it up (Figure 3A). Withdraw the needle. Insert the catheter into the vein through the gap opened by the forceps (Figure 3B).</li>
	<li>Withdraw the curved ophthalmic forceps. Untie the slipknot, push the catheter forward, and then tie a new slipknot to fix the catheter to prevent it from falling off (Figure 3C). Do not tie the slipknot too tightly, ensuring that there are no blood leakage and the catheter can be pushed freely at the same time.</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Surgical procedure on a rat for wound healing experiment, includes suturing and catheter setup." class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/69559/69559fig3.jpg" data-altupdatedat="1778558422000" data-alt="Figure 3"> 
Figure 3: Catheterization. (A) Insert the curved ophthalmic forceps into the vein to open the vein up. (B) Insert the catheter into the vein through the gap opened by the forceps. (C) Tie a new slipknot to fix the catheter to prevent it from falling off. Ensure that there is no blood leakage and the catheter can be pushed freely at the same time. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/69559/69559fig3large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<ol start="7">
	<li>Turn on the polygraph, connect the pressure transducer, and empty the pressure transducer with normal saline to ensure there are no air bubbles.</li>
	<li>Open the recording software, zero it by exposing it to the atmosphere, and then perform two-point calibration with a mercury sphygmomanometer. In the software, set the filter type to low pass, the cutoff frequency to 40 Hz, and the sampling rate to 1000 SPS.</li>
	<li>Waveform measurement and position judgment: Connect the three-way stopcock connected to the catheter to the pressure transducer, ensuring there are no air bubbles in the three-way stopcock. Then open and rotate the switch of the three-way stopcock to make the catheter communicate with the pressure transducer, and the venous waveform can be seen (Figure 4A).</li>
	<li>Rotate the catheter while pushing it forward. If there is resistance, do not force it to advance. Raise the pad (made with a surgical blade), pull the catheter out a little, and then rotate and push it in again until a sudden loss of resistance is felt, indicating entry into a larger space, at which point the ventricular waveform appears (Figure 4B).</li>
	<li>Push it forward again to reach the pulmonary artery. The sliding of the catheter tip against the heart wall can be felt during advancement. The waveform of the pulmonary artery will appear (Figure 4C).</li>
	<li>If the ventricular waveform shown in Figure 4D appears, it may mean that it is difficult for the catheter to enter the pulmonary artery at this position. Withdraw the catheter a little, rotate it, and push it forward until the ventricular waveform shown in Figure 4B appears, and then it is very easy to enter the pulmonary artery. At the same time, beginners can also refer to Sarkar et al. for a better understanding of waveforms at different stages9.</li>
</ol>
<img alt="Blood pressure fluctuation graph; time series data across panels; cardiovascular dynamics analysis." class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/69559/69559fig4.jpg" data-altupdatedat="1778558422000" data-alt="Figure 4"> 
Figure 4: Waveform of Pressure. (A) The venous waveform. (B) The ventricular waveform. (C) The waveform of the pulmonary artery. (D) The abnormal ventricular waveform. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/69559/69559fig4large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
4. Data collection
<ol>
	<li>Once the characteristic waveform of the pulmonary artery pressure is confirmed and the waveform remains stable for 1 min, gently place the catheter and keep it steady. Now, measure the PAP.</li>
	<li>Record a stable waveform for at least 10 consecutive cardiac cycles. If the experiment requires long-term continuous measurement of PAP, place gauze pads over the exposed skin to prevent dryness or adverse reactions caused by prolonged exposure to the environment.</li>
	<li>Set the pressures of the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery at 2-6 mmHg, 0-25 mmHg, and 10-25 mmHg, respectively, each with its characteristic peaks7,8,9,10,11,12,13. When the right ventricular pressure waveform's systolic peak has a notch, the catheter is more likely to enter the pulmonary artery.</li>
	<li>After data collection is completed, euthanize the animals according to the institution's animal studies guidelines. Supplement anesthesia via intraperitoneal injection, and ultimately euthanize the rats with a dose of 10-20 mg of Sodium Pentobarbital  per 100 g. Clean the catheters after all data collection is finished. 
	NOTE: All waste generated from the procedures should be properly managed. Used needles and other sharps should be immediately placed in dedicated sharps disposal containers. Biological tissues (including animal corpses) should be rendered harmless. Used chemical reagents should be poured into waste liquid tanks and discharged after centralized purification.</li>
</ol>

<ol><li>Krishnan, A., Markham, R., Savage, M., Wong, Y. W., Walters, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Right+Heart+Catheterisation%3A+How+To+Do+It%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Heart+Lung+Circ%22%5BJournal%5D)">Right Heart Catheterisation: How To Do It.</a> Heart Lung Circ. 28 (4), e71-e78 (2019).</li>
<li>Kosova, E., Ricciardi, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Cardiac+Catheterization%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22JAMA%22%5BJournal%5D)">Cardiac Catheterization.</a> JAMA. 317 (22), 2344(2017).</li>
<li>Sun, P., Liu, W. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Method+for+measuring+the+pulmonary+artery+pressure+with+a+right+cardiac+catheter+in+rats%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Acta+Acad+Med+Sinicae%22%5BJournal%5D)">Method for measuring the pulmonary artery pressure with a right cardiac catheter in rats.</a> Acta Acad Med Sinicae. 6 (6), 465-467 (1984).</li>
<li>Zou, L., Chen, M., Huang, X., Wang, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((A+meliorative+technique+to+measure+pulmonary+artery+pressure+by+right+heart+catheterization+in+rats%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Chinese+J+Pathophysiol%22%5BJournal%5D)">A meliorative technique to measure pulmonary artery pressure by right heart catheterization in rats.</a> Chinese J Pathophysiol. 30 (4), 757-762 (2014).</li>
<li>Yan, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Optimization+of+the+Method+for+Measuring+Rat+Pulmonary+Artery+Pressure+via+Right+Heart+Catheterization%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Chinese+J+Integrative+Med+Cardio-Cerebrovasc+Dis%22%5BJournal%5D)">Optimization of the Method for Measuring Rat Pulmonary Artery Pressure via Right Heart Catheterization.</a> Chinese J Integrative Med Cardio-Cerebrovasc Dis. 20 (11), 1986-1988 (2022).</li>
<li>Tontodonati, M., Ridley, D., Remie, R., Clements, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Improved+method+for+the+catheterization+of+the+right+ventricle+in+a+rat+model+of+pulmonary+artery+hypertension%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Interact+Cardiovasc+Thorac+Surg%22%5BJournal%5D)">Improved method for the catheterization of the right ventricle in a rat model of pulmonary artery hypertension.</a> Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 30 (4), 535-537 (2020).</li>
<li>Yuan, Z., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Megakaryocytic+leukemia+1+%28MKL1%29+regulates+hypoxia+induced+pulmonary+hypertension+in+rats%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22PLoS+One%22%5BJournal%5D)">Megakaryocytic leukemia 1 (MKL1) regulates hypoxia induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.</a> PLoS One. 9 (3), e83895(2014).</li>
<li>Yang, Y. D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Nogo-B+Receptor+Directs+Mitochondria-Associated+Membranes+to+Regulate+Vascular+Smooth+Muscle+Cell+Proliferation%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Int+J+Mol+Sci%22%5BJournal%5D)">Nogo-B Receptor Directs Mitochondria-Associated Membranes to Regulate Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation.</a> Int J Mol Sci. 20 (9), 2319(2019).</li>
<li>Sarkar, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Catheterization+of+Pulmonary+and+Carotid+Arteries+for+Concurrent+Measurement+of+Mean+Pulmonary+and+Systemic+Arterial+Pressure+in+Rat+Models+of+Pulmonary+Arterial+Hypertension%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Bio+Protoc%22%5BJournal%5D)">Catheterization of Pulmonary and Carotid Arteries for Concurrent Measurement of Mean Pulmonary and Systemic Arterial Pressure in Rat Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.</a> Bio Protoc. 13 (16), e4737(2023).</li>
<li>Neelakantan, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Dissecting+contributions+of+pulmonary+arterial+remodeling+to+right+ventricular+afterload+in+pulmonary+hypertension%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Bioeng+Transl+Med%22%5BJournal%5D)">Dissecting contributions of pulmonary arterial remodeling to right ventricular afterload in pulmonary hypertension.</a> Bioeng Transl Med. 10 (4), e70035(2025).</li>
<li>Neelakantan, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Right+Ventricular+Stiffening+and+Anisotropy+Alterations+in+Pulmonary+Hypertension%3A+Mechanisms+and+Relations+to+Right+Heart+Failure%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22J+Am+Heart+Assoc%22%5BJournal%5D)">Right Ventricular Stiffening and Anisotropy Alterations in Pulmonary Hypertension: Mechanisms and Relations to Right Heart Failure.</a> J Am Heart Assoc. 14 (5), e037126(2025).</li>
<li>Mendiola, E. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Right+Ventricular+Architectural+Remodeling+and+Functional+Adaptation+in+Pulmonary+Hypertension%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Circ+Heart+Fail%22%5BJournal%5D)">Right Ventricular Architectural Remodeling and Functional Adaptation in Pulmonary Hypertension.</a> Circ Heart Fail. 16 (2), e009768(2023).</li>
<li>Swan, H. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Catheterization+of+the+heart+in+man+with+use+of+a+flow-directed+balloon-tipped+catheter%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22New+Engl+J+Med%22%5BJournal%5D)">Catheterization of the heart in man with use of a flow-directed balloon-tipped catheter.</a> New Engl J Med. 283 (9), 447-451 (1970).</li>
<li>Ruopp, N. F., Cockrill, B. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Diagnosis+and+Treatment+of+Pulmonary+Arterial+Hypertension%3A+A+Review%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22JAMA%22%5BJournal%5D)">Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Review.</a> JAMA. 327 (14), 1379-1391 (2022).</li>
<li>Ferrero, P., Krishnathasan, K., Constantine, A., Chessa, M., Dimopoulos, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Pulmonary+arterial+hypertension+in+congenital+heart+disease%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Heart+%28British+Cardiac+Society%29%22%5BJournal%5D)">Pulmonary arterial hypertension in congenital heart disease.</a> Heart (British Cardiac Society). 110 (18), 1145-1152 (2024).</li>
<li>Deten, A., Millar, H., Zimmer, H. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=((Catheterization+of+pulmonary+artery+in+rats+with+an+ultraminiature+catheter+pressure+transducer%5BTitle%5D)+AND+%22Heart+Circ+Physiol%22%5BJournal%5D)">Catheterization of pulmonary artery in rats with an ultraminiature catheter pressure transducer.</a> Heart Circ Physiol. 285 (5), H2212-H2217 (2003).</li>
</ol>

The authors declare no conflict of interest related to the publication of this article.

In 1970, Swan and Ganz reported the use of a floating catheter to measure pulmonary artery pressure13, establishing invasive right heart catheterization as the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary hypertension14,15. However, in studies involving small animals such as rats, the size of the catheter limits the feasibility of closed-chest catheterization. In 1984, Bo et al.3described a method using a self-made right ...

Currently, pulmonary artery pressure measured by right heart catheterization is the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary hypertension1. In humans and large animals, the floating catheter is mostly used for right heart catheterization2. However, in small animals (such as rats), due to the lack of suitable floating catheters, the application of this technique is limited, which brings inconvenience to scientific research on replicating pulmonary hypertension models using rats3. Rats typically used for modeling pulmonary hypertension generally have a weight range of 300-400 g. A smaller body size means they have finer blood vessels and thinner heart walls, which makes catheterization difficult. Although there have been literature reports on the method of making a right heart catheter with a polyethylene (PE) tube with an outer diameter of 0.9 mm and an inner diameter of 0.5 mm, and the intubation technique3,4,5, the pressure waveform of the pulmonary artery pressure has been successfully monitored. But in actual operation, there are still many problems: the catheter is likely to enter the inferior vena cava by mistake or stay in the right ventricle for a long time and fail to enter the pulmonary artery. Prolonged catheter insertion time can also lead to a decrease in the heart rate of the rat and distorted pressure measurement. The catheter may even puncture the right atrium due to improper operation, resulting in the failure of the experiment4,5,6. Analyzing the reasons, it may be that the toughness and hardness of the catheter affect the curvature of the catheter tip, consequently making it difficult to enter the pulmonary artery.
To solve this problem, in this study, a plasticizer-added polyvinyl chloride tube (Outer diameter 1.6 mm, inner diameter 1.0 mm, length 25 cm, suitable for jugular veins of rats over 150 g) with greater elasticity and toughness was selected as the material for making the catheter. We proposed a set of systematic operation schemes, including the making of the pigtail at the catheter tip, the dissection of the external jugular vein, the insertion of the catheter, and the determination of the catheter&#39;s position. Through improvements to the prior methods, we are able to achieve easier passage to the pulmonary artery and a higher success rate7,8. Therefore, we can provide more reliable technical support for the research on pulmonary hypertension models in small animals.

<table><tbody><tr><td>5-0 suture thread</td><td>Zhongke Huida</td><td>23030306</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>75% alcohol disinfectant</td><td>Shandong Zhuojian Medical Technology Co., LTD.</td><td>Q/371402SDZJ005</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Beaker</td><td>Chengdu Glass Instrument Factory</td><td>GG-17</td><td>250mL</td></tr><tr><td>Copper wire</td><td>ThermoFisher</td><td>000098.G2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Heating pad</td><td>Tigergene Technology Inc</td><td>TG-TP-BS</td><td>20&amp;times;35cm</td></tr><tr><td>Hemostatic forceps</td><td>Beyotime</td><td>FS245</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Intravenous infusion needle</td><td>Hanjiang County Great Wall Medical Equipment Factory</td><td>GB 18671-2002</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>LabChart Pro Upgrade v7 for Windows</td><td>AD Instruments</td><td>GR85-XNCB-MEDA</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Medical cotton swab</td><td>Huatai Medical Equipment Co., LTD.</td><td>YY/T 10330-2015</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Multi-channel physiological recording system&lt;br/&gt; (PowerLab 4/35, AD Instruments)</td><td>AD Instruments</td><td>PowerLab 4/35</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Needle</td><td>Shanghai Kindly Enterprise Development Group Co.,LTD.</td><td>0.7&amp;times;32 TW LB</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Normal saline</td><td>Servicebio</td><td>G4702-500ML</td><td>solvent?Cleaning fluid</td></tr><tr><td>Ophthalmic curved forceps</td><td>Beyotime</td><td>FS229</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pressure transducers</td><td>AD Instruments</td><td>SP 844</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rat operating table</td><td>YUYAN INSTRUMENTS</td><td>30351</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Sodium heparin</td><td>biosharp</td><td>BS145</td><td>Anticoagulant effect</td></tr><tr><td>Sodium Pentobarbital</td><td>sigma-aldrich</td><td>P3761</td><td>It is used to anesthetize rats</td></tr><tr><td>Sterile syringe</td><td>Shanghai Kindly Enterprise Development Group Co.,LTD.</td><td>5ml</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Surgical blade</td><td>Beyotime</td><td>FS205</td><td>Used for making the pad</td></tr><tr><td>Three-way stopcock</td><td>B.Braun</td><td>409511CN</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Tissue scissors</td><td>Beyotime</td><td>FS209</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

measurement of pulmonary artery pressure in rats using right heart catheterization

Measurement of Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Rats Using Right Heart Catheterization

Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) measured by right heart catheterization is considered the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary hypertension. Rats have been used to establish models of pulmonary hypertension. However, when the beginners perform right heart catheterization to measure PAP in rat models of pulmonary hypertension, the catheter often inadvertently enters the inferior vena cava or becomes lodged in the right ventricle without reaching the pulmonary artery, leading to prolonged catheterization, which decreases heart rate in rats and provides distorted pressure readings. Furthermore, there is a risk of puncturing the right atrium, causing the experiment to fail. This study aims to share the experience of our laboratory in measuring PAP using right heart catheterization through a video presentation. We enumerate the surgical steps involved in right heart catheterization, as well as the tools required for the surgery. We improved the selection of catheters based on the properties of the catheter materials and described the method of catheter preparation. We also explained the process of inserting the catheter into the pulmonary artery and the determination of the catheter&#39;s position. We believe that this protocol will be helpful for beginners in measuring pulmonary artery pressure.

We have published the data on the mean pulmonary arterial pressure of rats with chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension and normal control rats from the plains measured using this method7,8. The results are basically consistent with the data reported in the literature9,10,11,12. Using our method f...

The protocol provides a detailed introduction to the experience of using the right heart catheterization method to detect pulmonary artery pressure in rats, which will help to obtain accurate data more efficiently and improve the success rate of the experiment. This method also improves the reproducibility of experiments across different laboratories.

Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) measured by right heart catheterization is considered the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary hypertension. Rats have ...

Our laboratory has optimized the traditional right heart catheterization procedure in many ways to improve efficiency and success rate. The challenge is that the technique of measuring pulmonary arterial pressure in small animals using right heart catheterization is difficult for beginners to master. To begin, use scissors to cut off the needle tip of a venous infusion set with a PVC tube measuring 1.6 millimeters in outer diameter, one millimeter in inner diameter and 25 centimeters in length.Thread a copper wire with a diameter smaller than one millimeter into the polyvinyl chloride tube. Wrap the tail end of the tube around a cylindrical object such as a pencil to form a circle with a diameter of seven millimeters, and immerse the circular end in water, heated to 100 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. After heating, remove the tube from the water.Then pull out the copper wire from the tube. Ensure the tail end maintains a pigtail like shape and verify that the opposite end can be connected to a three-way stopcock. Shave the right cervical region of the anesthetized rat to expose the skin surface and disinfect the exposed area using a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol.Then using tissue scissors, make a two centimeter incision in the skin on the right side of the neck. With curved ophthalmic forceps bluntly dissect to expose the external jugular vein on the right side. Carefully free approximately one centimeter of the exposed external jugular vein and ligate the distal end of the vein using a five oh suture thread.Tie a slip knot at the proximal end of the vein. Use a hemostat to clamp the suture thread at the distal end and gently pull it toward the head to tighten the blood vessel moderately. Now bend the prepared number seven needle at a 45 degree angle in the opposite direction of the needle tip.Then fill the cardiac catheter, which is connected to the three-way stopcock with heparin sodium solution. After filling, close the three-way stopcock to prevent backflow. Insert the bent tip of the prepared number seven needle into the external jugular vein.Gently lift the needle upward and insert the curved ophthalmic forceps along the needle track into the vein to open it up. Withdraw the needle carefully from the vein and insert the catheter into the vein through the gap created by the forceps. Next, carefully withdraw the curved ophthalmic forceps from the vein and untie the previously placed slip knot at the proximal end of the vein.Push the catheter further into the vein. Then tie a new slip knot around the vein to secure the catheter. Ensure that the knot is not too tight and that there is no blood leakage while allowing smooth catheter movement.Turn on the polygraph device and connect the pressure transducer to the polygraph. Flush the pressure transducer with normal saline to remove any air bubbles. Next, open the recording software on the connected computer.Zero the pressure transducer by exposing it to atmospheric pressure and perform two point calibration using a mercury sphygmomanometer. In the software, set the filter type to low pass, the cutoff frequency to 40 hertz and the sampling rate to 1000 samples per second. Connect the three-way stopcock, which is attached to the catheter, to the pressure transducer.Ensure there are no air bubbles in the three-way stopcock. Open and rotate the switch on the three-way stopcock to allow communication between the catheter and the pressure transducer and observe the venous waveform. Rotate the catheter while slowly pushing it forward.If resistance is encountered, stop pushing and raise the pad made with a surgical blade, slightly withdraw the catheter, then rotate and push it forward again until a sudden loss of resistance is felt indicating entry into a larger space, at which point, the ventricular waveform appears. Push the catheter forward to reach the pulmonary artery. Observe the sensation of the catheter tip sliding along the heart wall during advancement.Monitor the screen to identify the appearance of the pulmonary artery waveform. If an abnormal ventricular waveform appears, it may indicate that the catheter is having difficulty entering the pulmonary artery at this position. Withdraw the catheter slightly, rotate it and advance it again until the normal ventricular waveform appears, after which it should be easy to enter the pulmonary artery.Two models of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension were established. one through the plateau environment simulation chamber, simulating an altitude of 5, 800 meters. And the other by chemically injecting one milliliter of 60%monocrotaline into the neck for 28 days.In both models, the right ventricular systolic pressure and mean pulmonary arterial pressure were measured using this method and were significantly higher than those in the control group. Our protocol doesn't require a microscope, improves the process of and reduces the risks of puncturing the heart wall. This technology helps us measure pulmonary artery pressure in small animals more efficiently and accurately.Our protocol provides support and framework for the reproducibility of studies related to pulmonary hypertension models.

measurement-pulmonary-artery-pressure-rats-using-right-heart

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

A specific and rapid protocol to simultaneously investigate right heart function, lung inflammation, and the immune response is described as a learning tool.  Video and figures describe physiology and microdissection techniques in an organized team-approach that is adaptable to be used for small to large sized studies.

Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure Measurements in Combination with Harvest of Lung and Immune Tissue Samples in Mice

Right ventricle (RV) dysfunction is critical to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, yet limited methodologies are available for its evaluation. Recent advances in ultrasound imaging provide a noninvasive and accurate option for longitudinal RV study. Herein, we detail a step-by-step echocardiographic method using a murine model of RV pressure overload.

Assessment of Right Ventricular Structure and Function in Mouse Model of Pulmonary Artery Constriction by Transthoracic Echocardiography

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) and Right Ventricular (RV) dysfunction were induced in piglets by progressive obstruction of the pulmonary arteries. Consequences were remarkably similar to those observed in CTEPH patients. This animal model would be a very useful tool for pathophysiology and therapeutic experiments on CTEPH and RV failure.

Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension and Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in the Piglet

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease of pulmonary arterioles that leads to their obliteration and the development of right ventricular failure. Rodent models of PAH are critical in understanding the pathophysiology of PAH. Here we demonstrate hemodynamic characterization, with right heart catheterization and echocardiography, in the mouse and rat.

Hemodynamic Characterization of Rodent Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

This protocol describes a surgical procedure to create a model for flow-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in rats and the procedures to analyze the principle hemodynamic and histological end-points in this model.

Shunt Surgery, Right Heart Catheterization, and Vascular Morphometry in a Rat Model for Flow-induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Here, we present a protocol to perform an invasive hemodynamic assessment of the right ventricle and pulmonary artery in mice using an open-chest surgery approach.

Invasive Hemodynamic Assessment for the Right Ventricular System and Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Mice

The present protocol describes the echocardiographic characterization of right ventricular morphology and function in a rat model of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Comprehensive Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Ventricle Function in a Rat Model of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

This protocol provides a step-by-step procedure for executing multiple intravenous bolus dose administration and invasive hemodynamic monitoring in mice. Investigators can use this protocol for future therapeutic compound screening for pulmonary artery hypertension.

Multiple Intravenous Bolus Dosing and Invasive Hemodynamic Assessment in a Hypoxia-Induced Mouse Pulmonary Artery Hypertension Model

We describe a murine model of right ventricular pressure overload-induced by pulmonary trunk banding. Detailed protocols for intubation, surgery, and phenotyping by echocardiography are included in the paper. Custom-made instruments are used for intubation and surgery, allowing for fast and inexpensive reproduction of the model.

A Murine Model of Pressure Overload-Induced Right Ventricular Hypertrophy and Failure by Pulmonary Trunk Banding

Here, the method of inducing pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with pulmonary fibrosis (PF-PH) rat model by injecting bleomycin into the airway is introduced. We also provide a step-by-step approach to validate this animal model.

Establishment and Validation of a Rat Model of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Associated with Pulmonary Fibrosis

The presentation of detailed methods for the evaluation of right ventricle function will enhance the quality and reliability of pulmonary hypertension research, offering a robust framework for future studies and enhancing reproducibility across different laboratories.

Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Experimental Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Learn an optimized right heart catheterization protocol for measuring pulmonary artery pressure in rat models of pulmonary hypertension. This method improves efficiency and reduces procedural risks for beginners.

Measurement of Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Rats Using Right Heart Catheterization

Explore More Videos