Caracterización del sistema cardiovascular porcino mediante resonancia magnética

Abstract

Background The porcine animal model is, par excellence, the basic model in cardiovascular research and although some authors have described some values of the anatomy and cardiac function, it doesn’t exist a clear definition of the porcine cardiovascular system without the use of invasive techniques. Currently in human medicine, magnetic resonance is the gold standard for the functional and anatomical cardiac quantification as well as it is precise and repeatable allowing the study of the same patient along disease evolution. Methods During the study 30 cardiac magnetic resonances were done to 30 female swine (23,9 ± 4,9 kg) with a Signa HDx 3.0T device. In all the subjects FIESTA sequences (GE®) in the specific planes (Two, Three and Four Chambers and the Short Axis) were performed for the anatomical and functional quantification. The blood flow into the aorta and pulmonary artery was measured with Phase Contrast sequences. At the same time, Gradient Eco sequences were carried out for the evaluation of the myocardical perfusion. At the end, late enhance and Tagging sequences were performed for the evaluation of the myocardial viability and segmentary mobility quantification. Results All the sequences had enough quality for their quantification. Animal lateral position and electrocardiography electrodes paramedial lineal positioning made easier to get the images. From cardiovascular point of view the anesthetic protocol turned out to be safe. The use of two consecutive rounds of scout sequences allowed us to get, in all the animals, the correct Two, Three and Four Chambers and Short Axis planes. In this study were obtained 46 anatomical and functional values, some of them unpublished. Those values allow us to set an standard for this animal model because all of them followed a Normal distribution. Conclusion This study describes, for the first time, morphometric and functional reference values in young cardiovascular swine model measured by magnetic resonance, unquestionable value contribution in the field of translational medicine.