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Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 274: H366-H374, 1998;
0363-6135/98 $5.00
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Vol. 274, Issue 1, H366-H374, January 1998

Mechanoenergetic studies in isolated mouse hearts

Tomoki Kameyama, Zengyi Chen, Stephen P. Bell, Judit Fabian, and Martin M. Lewinter

Cardiology Unit, College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05401

    ABSTRACT
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

We tested the feasibility of an isolated, balloon-in-ventricle, isovolumically contracting, crystalloid-perfused mouse heart preparation (n = 10) for studies of cardiac mechanoenergetics using the end-systolic pressure-volume relation (ESPVR) and myocardial oxygen consumption (VO2)-pressure-volume area (PVA) framework employed in larger species. The intraventricular balloon method was shown to be accurate for measurement of left ventricular volume, especially at relatively higher volumes. The ESPVR demonstrated contractility-dependent curvilinearity. Average slope of the ESPVR was 1,299 ± 369 (SD) mmHg · g · ml-1, with a volume intercept of 0.018 ± 0.006 ml. The VO2-PVA relation was well fitted by a straight line, with average slope and VO2 intercept of 3.57 ± 1.31 × 10-5 ml O2 · mmHg-1 · ml-1 and 0.92 ± 0.21 × 10-3 ml O2 · beat-1 · g-1, respectively. Decreasing perfusate Ca2+ concentration resulted in a decrease in the slope of the ESPVR, a decrease in the VO2 intercept of the VO2-PVA relation, but no significant change in its slope. Hearts from hypothyroid (n = 8) mice demonstrated similar mechanoenergetic changes. We conclude that delineation of the ESPVR and the VO2-PVA relation is feasible in the mouse heart. Our method should allow an assessment of cardiac mechanoenergetics as sophisticated as that previously possible only in larger hearts.

myocardial oxygen consumption; pressure-volume area; ventricular volume

    INTRODUCTION
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

GENETIC ENGINEERING METHODS have great promise for elucidating the normal and pathological consequences of gene expression in the heart. Although a variety of animal species have been used in genetic engineering experiments, the mouse has been employed most extensively. Despite the considerable advantage of the mouse in terms of expense and reproductive rate, analysis of function in mouse heart is a challenge because of its small size. Despite the size limitation, remarkable progress has been made using several methods including radiolabeled microspheres combined with indicator dilution techniques (1), classic isolated work-performing hearts (2, 5, 7, 9, 23, 26), left ventricular pressure measurement in vivo (17, 24) and in situ (22), contrast angiography (27), and echocardiography (8, 16, 17, 19, 31). However, there are no published methods using a balloon-in-ventricle preparation with the capacity to measure and vary volume. This method offers important advantages in that it is possible to make functional measurements with controlled loading conditions and independent control of coronary perfusion pressure. With the use of this type of preparation, two pivotal approaches to ventricular mechanics and energetics have been established, quantitative assessment of ventricular contractility through analysis of the end-systolic pressure-volume relation (ESPVR) and quantitative assessment of total mechanical energy generated by the ventricle in terms of pressure-volume area (PVA). Studies in which PVA has been correlated with measured oxygen consumption (VO2) under a variety of hemodynamic loads and contractile states have provided new understanding of the determinants of myocardial energy utilization (28). The latter studies were performed originally in the canine heart and then extended to other species, including human (20), rabbit (10), and rat (33). The purpose of the present study was to test the feasibility of an isolated, balloon-in-ventricle, isovolumically contracting, crystalloid-perfused mouse heart preparation for studies of cardiac mechanoenergetics using the same framework employed in larger species.

    METHODS
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Isolated heart preparation. All experimental procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Vermont. We studied 18 male adult CD-1 mice weighing 21-41 g [mean 32.1 ± 5.4 (SD) g]. Hypothyroidism was induced in eight of the mice by adding 0.8 mg/ml propiothiouracil (PTU) to the drinking water for 3 wk. Each mouse was anesthetized with a 1:5 diluted mixture of ketamine hydrochloride (100 mg/kg ip) and xylazine (5 mg/kg ip) and heparinized (5,000 IU/kg ip). A tracheotomy was performed, and the mouse was ventilated with a Harvard respirator. The chest was opened at the midline of the sternum. Both pulmonary hili and the superior vena cava were ligated simultaneously. The heart was removed from the chest and immediately submerged in oxygenated, 30 mM 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM)-Ringer solution (25) at room temperature. Under a microscope, the severed end of the aorta was cannulated and perfused via a 20-gauge cannula with warmed perfusate (35-37°C, composition provided below). The right atrium (RA) was widely opened, and a flexible tube was inserted through the RA into the right ventricle (RV). The RA and inferior vena cava were ligated, after which the left atrium was opened widely. A collapsed, thin, high-density polyethylene balloon mounted on a 22-gauge polyethylene catheter (see below) was placed in the left ventricle (LV) through the mitral orifice. Before each experiment, the pressure-volume relationship of the balloon was measured. The balloon was used only if the pressure was zero up to an intraballoon volume >= 0.03 ml. A 2.5-Fr micromanometer catheter (model SPR-524, Millar Instruments, Houston, TX) was introduced just above the mitral orifice via a side port. A 100-µl graduated syringe (model 80601, Hamilton, Reno, NV) was connected to another port. Pacing electrodes connected to an electronic stimulator (model S9, Grass Instruments, Quincy, MA) were attached to the LV apex. The RV was kept collapsed by continuous hydrostatic drainage to minimize RV VO2. The heart was placed in a chamber with a heating jacket, and its temperature was maintained at 35-37°C. Coronary flow was measured by timed collections of the RV drainage into a graduated cylinder. Coronary arteriovenous O2 content difference was measured continuously with a dual-channel platinum O2 electrode system (model 203B, Instech, Plymouth Meeting, PA). Sodium dithionate, a compound which extracts O2 from solution, was used to zero the electrode at the start of each experiment. The gain of the electrode system was calibrated using the perfusate solution, which was saturated with 100% O2. The reported value of oxygen solubility in this solution (2.3 vol/100 ml) (5, 33) was used to calculate O2 content.

Preparation of perfusate. Perfusate was composed of (in mM) 108.0 NaCl, 4.0 KCl, 1.4 KH2PO4, 25.0 NaHCO3, 11.0 dextrose, 10.0 sodium pyruvate, and 2.5 CaCl2 (all from Sigma Chemical, St. Louis, MO). The solution was equilibrated with 95% O2-5% CO2 and warmed to 37°C. pH was adjusted to 7.35-7.45 by changing CO2. The perfusate was transported to the perfusion tubing by a variable-flow pump (Masterflex, Cole-Parmer, Chicago, IL). Coronary perfusion pressure was controlled by a pressurized arterial reservoir connected to a pressure regulator and compressed air. The temperature of the perfusate was maintained at 35-37°C with water jackets around the container and the pressurized arterial reservoir by constant-temperature circulators. Perfusate was not recirculated. To investigate acute changes in contractility, we also prepared a low Ca2+ perfusate, differing only with respect to the Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]), which was 1.5 mM.

Experimental protocol. The hearts were stimulated electrically at 240 beats/min by LV pacing and, in eight mice (no. 1-8 in Tables 2 and 3), were initially perfused randomly with either the normal (n = 5) or low (n = 3) Ca2+ perfusate. We waited 30 min for initial stabilization and BDM washout. The protocol (see below) for determining the ESPVR and the relationship between VO2 and PVA was then executed. We then switched to the other [Ca2+] perfusate and waited 10 min before executing the protocol once again. In two control and the eight PTU mice, the measurements were done only with normal Ca2+ perfusate (2.5 mM).

Measurements of LV pressure, coronary perfusion pressure, coronary flow, and coronary arteriovenous O2 content difference were made at various balloon volumes at each stable contractile state. Balloon volume was varied from 0 ml to a maximal volume (0.04 ml for the initial 5 hearts and 0.03 ml for the others) by 0.002-ml steps using a manual micrometer syringe driver (model 51222, Stoelting, Wood Dale, IL). The volume resolution of this device is 0.0167 µl. We waited 2 min after each change in balloon volume to allow conditions to stabilize.

Because there is a small pressure drop in our system due to the 20-gauge coronary perfusion cannula, coronary perfusion pressure was maintained constant at 90-130 mmHg. Estimated perfusion pressure was then calculated from the measured pressure drop (<10 mmHg), which is a function of coronary flow.

At the end of each experiment, RV and LV weight were measured.

Data analysis. LV pressure, coronary perfusion pressure, and arteriovenous O2 content difference were recorded on a pen recorder and stored on a hard disk at 5-ms sampling intervals for off-line analysis with a personal computer (Gateway 2000, North Sioux City, SD). We compared the effect of sampling intervals of 5 ms and of 0.5 ms on measurement of the first derivative of pressure with respect to time (dP/dt) in the same heart (n = 3). Maximal and minimal dP/dt measured with sampling intervals of 5 ms averaged 85% of those measured with 0.5-ms intervals, but correlation between the two was highly linear (r = 0.999). Thus our sampling interval may underestimate the absolute value of dP/dt but accurately reflects relative changes. VO2 per minute was calculated as the product of coronary flow (ml/min) and arteriovenous O2 content difference (vol%) and was divided by heart rate to yield total VO2 per beat (in ml O2/beat). VO2 was normalized per gram LV weight to give VO2 in milliliters O2 per beat per gram. LV volume was determined as the sum of the volume of water within the LV balloon and the volume of the balloon walls and connector within the LV. LV developed pressure was defined as the difference between peak and minimum LV pressure during one cardiac cycle. End diastole was defined as the time when LV positive dP/dt increased to 10% of its peak value.

ESPVR. Contractile state was quantified as the slope of the ESPVR, Emax (in mmHg · g · ml-1). End-systolic pressure was determined as peak isovolumic pressure. Both linear and nonlinear regression analyses were performed (4) (E'max denotes the slope for a nonlinear ESPVR). LV pressure, dP/dt, coronary flow, and coronary perfusion pressure were also measured or calculated at a reference LV volume of 0.04 ml.

VO2-PVA relation. Total energy liberated by the LV was quantified as PVA (26). PVA is the area circumscribed by the ESPVR, the end-diastolic pressure-volume relation, and the systolic pressure-volume trajectory. For each contractile state, VO2 was plotted as a function of PVA, and a linear regression analysis (VO2 = a × PVA + b) was performed. According to the PVA concept, the slope of this equation a represents the oxygen cost of PVA, and the intercept b is VO2 at zero PVA, i.e., unloaded VO2. The reciprocal of the slope (1/a) is contractile efficiency for conversion of VO2 to PVA. In addition to a linear fit, we also fitted VO2-PVA data points to a second-order polynominal to test for curvilinearity. The RV fraction of VO2 at zero PVA was subtracted for each experimental condition by assuming that the amount of O2 consumed by the RV is proportional to its weight [VO2 × LV weight/(LV + RV weight)].

LV balloon. We employed a balloon constructed of high-density polyethylene, obtained from a commonly available plastic shopping bag. A small piece of this material was stretched with the round tip of a small centrifuge tube and gently mounted on a 22-gauge polyethylene intravenous catheter (SURFLO, Terumo, Japan). The length of the balloon was ~5 mm. The volume of the balloon wall plus the tip of the tubing within the balloon was determined (range 0.018-0.03 ml) by water replacement after loading a known volume of fluid within the balloon. Airtightness of the system was evaluated by measuring the intraballoon volume change after overinflating the balloon to ~150 mmHg of intraballoon pressure over a 2-h period. After 2 h, we could withdraw exactly the same amount of water as was instilled, indicating the balloon is airtight.

To test the accuracy of LV volume measurement using this balloon, we measured the residual volume between the balloon and the LV inner surface using similar methods to those described for canine (27) and rabbit hearts (11). Briefly, four hearts were fixed in 10% Formalin. The aorta, pulmonary artery, atria, and RV free wall were trimmed off, and the LV was filled with water. The balloon was inserted into the LV and slowly inflated with water to obtain intraventricular pressure of 5, 15, 40, and 90 mmHg. Then the balloon was deflated and slowly removed from the ventricle. The surface of the balloon and the LV endocardial surface were wiped carefully to absorb all residual water with pieces of blotting paper. These were then weighed with a precision balance with a resolution of 0.1 mg (0.1 µl). Measurements were repeated four times at each level of intraventricular pressure. Residual volume was also expressed as percent of total LV volume, which was determined as the sum of the volume of water within the LV balloon, the volume of the balloon walls and connector within the LV, and the residual volume.

Because the 2.5-Fr pressure transducer cannot pass through a 22-gauge catheter, the sensing tip of the pressure transducer was positioned ~1 cm from the balloon. Frequency response characteristics of pressure measurement with our balloon system were evaluated using previously described methods (13). Briefly, the entire system with a volume-loaded balloon (<3 mmHg of intraballoon pressure) was placed within a 60-ml plastic syringe via a rubber stopper. The tip of the syringe was connected to Y-connector, one port of which was sealed by a thin rubber membrane. The pressure within the syringe was increased by adding air from another port and, after a steady period, suddenly reduced by cutting the rubber membrane. During this dynamic pressure change, intraballoon pressure was measured, and the damping coefficient (which is 0.64 with optimal damping) and undamped natural frequency were calculated. Our balloon system has an almost optimal damping coefficient of 0.619 and a high natural frequency (65.3 Hz), indicating that it has a frequency response that is flat up to 57.5 Hz (65.3 × 0.88) and applicable for measurement of pressures up to 5.8 Hz of heart rate (assuming that the physiologically significant signal is up to the 10th harmonic of the original wave). We can measure dP/dt accurately up to 2.9 Hz of heart rate, since measurement of the first 20 harmonics of the LV pressure is required for dP/dt measurement (13).

Statistics. Data are reported as means ± SD. Student's t-test for paired data was used to compare normal and low Ca2+ perfusate. Student's t-test for unpaired data was used to compare normal and hypothyroid mice. The least-squares method was used for estimation of the ESPVR and the VO2-PVA relation. A value of P < 0.05 was accepted as the level of significance.

    RESULTS
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

Average LV and RV weights were 0.136 ± 0.030 and 0.034 ± 0.010 g, respectively.

Accuracy of volume measurement. The average volume of the residual space was 2.3 ± 0.7 µl (4.5 ± 1.8% of total volume) at a pressure of 90 mmHg, 2.8 ± 0.9 µl (8.5 ± 2.3%) at a pressure of 40 mmHg, 3.2 ± 1.0 µl (19.5 ± 8.2%) at a pressure of 15 mmHg, and 6.5 ± 1.8 µl (35.5 ± 11.6%) at a pressure of 5 mmHg.

Baseline mechanoenergetics. Representative LV pressure tracings (mouse 3) at various volumes are shown in Fig. 1. LV pressure, maximum and minimum dP/dt, coronary flow, and estimated coronary perfusion pressure measured at a LV volume of 0.04 ml are summarized in Table 1.


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Fig. 1.   Representative left ventricular pressure tracings (mouse 3) at volumes of 0.026, 0.034, and 0.042 ml.

                              
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Table 1.   Measurements at left ventricular volume of 0.04 ml

Both the ESPVR and end-diastolic pressure-volume relation from one experiment (mouse 1) are shown in Fig. 2A. The pressure-volume relation of the balloon itself is also indicated in Fig. 2A. In all hearts, the baseline ESPVR appeared curvilinear. Linear and nonlinear fitting parameters of the ESPVR are summarized in Table 2. R values for nonlinear regression were greater than for linear regression in each heart. Both the slope (E'max or Emax) and volume axis intercept (V0) were smaller using linear regression.


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Fig. 2.   Results from representative experiments (mouse 1). A: end-systolic (bullet ) and end-diastolic (triangle ) pressure-volume relation. Solid line indicates nonlinear regression of end-systolic pressure-volume relation. Pressure-volume relation of balloon itself is also indicated (+). B: relation between myocardial oxygen consumption and pressure-volume area, with linear regression line.

                              
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Table 2.   End-systolic pressure-volume relationship

The VO2-PVA relation from the same heart as in Fig. 2A is shown in Fig. 2B. PVA was calculated based on a curvilinear ESPVR. VO2-PVA relations of all hearts are summarized in Table 3. Average contractile efficiency and VO2 intercept were 0.21 ± 0.08 and 0.92 ± 0.24 × 10-3 ml O2 · beat-1 · g-1, respectively.

                              
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Table 3.   VO2-PVA relation

Influence of contractile state on ESPVR and VO2-PVA relationship. The results from another heart (mouse 2) in which contractility was varied by changing the perfusate [Ca2+] are shown in Fig. 3A. The decrease in [Ca2+] from 2.5 to 1.5 mM decreased the slope of the ESPVR. With lower [Ca2+], curvilinearity of ESPVR was no longer apparent, and R values for nonlinear and linear ESPVRs were similar (mean 0.99 ± 0.01 vs. 0.97 ± 0.04), indicating contractility-dependent curvilinearity in mouse hearts.


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Fig. 3.   Results from a heart (mouse 2) in which contractility was varied by changing perfusate [Ca2+] are shown. A: influence of contractile state on end-systolic pressure-volume relation (ESPVR). Decrease in [Ca2+] from 2.5 mM (black-square) to 1.5 mM (open circle ) decreased slope of ESPVR. B: influence of contractile state on myocardial oxygen consumption-pressure-volume area relationship.

VO2-PVA relations of the same heart as in Fig. 3A are shown in Fig. 3B. In this single case, at 2.5 mM Ca2+, the VO2-PVA relation was found statistically to be fit better by a second-order polynomial than a linear function (R = 0.99 vs. 0.87). E'max, developed pressure, contractile efficiency, and VO2 intercept for the group (mice 1-8) at each perfusate [Ca2+] are summarized in Fig. 4. The decrease in [Ca2+] reduced E'max and developed pressure. It also decreased the VO2 intercept of the VO2-PVA relation without changing its slope.


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Fig. 4.   Bar graphs show slope of ESPVR (E'max; top left), developed pressure at left ventricular volume of 0.04 ml (top right), inverse slope (contractile efficiency, bottom left), and myocardial oxygen consumption (VO2) intercept (bottom right) of VO2pressure-volume area relation for group at each [Ca2+].

Influence of hypothyroidism on ESPVR and VO2-PVA relationship. Figure 5 shows the effect of hypothyroidism on E'max, developed pressure, contractile efficiency, and VO2 intercept. Compared with the control group (mice 1-10), both E'max and developed pressure were reduced in hypothyroid (PTU) animals. The decreased contractility in these animals was accompanied by a decrease in the VO2 intercept of the VO2-PVA relation without a change in slope.


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Fig. 5.   Bar graph shows E'max (top left), developed pressure at left ventricular volume of 0.04 ml (top right), inverse slope (contractile efficiency, bottom left), and myocardial VO2 intercept (bottom right) of VO2-pressure-volume area relation for normal (control) and hypothyroid (propiothiouracil; PTU) mice.

    DISCUSSION
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

In this study, we have demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of assessing the ESPVR and VO2-PVA relation in mouse hearts. The ESPVR shows contractility-dependent curvilinearity, and the VO2-PVA relation is well fitted by a straight line. The response of these relations to changes in perfusate [Ca2+] was similar to that observed in hearts from larger species (29). The results in hypothyroid animals demonstrate that our method is useful in comparing mechanoenergetics between normal and dysfunctional hearts.

Comparison with previous studies. Previous studies of ventricular function in the in situ mouse heart have employed radiolabeled microspheres combined with indicator dilution techniques to measure cardiac output and stroke volume (1), quantitative angiography (27), and echocardiography (8, 16, 17, 19, 31). Several authors (2, 5, 7, 9, 23, 26) have published reports using a classic, isolated, perfused, work-performing heart. There are two reports of isolated, buffer-perfused, isovolumically contracting balloon-in-ventricle preparations. Galinanes and Hearse (6) reported an LV developed pressure of 52 ± 4 mmHg with a crystalloid perfusate containing 1.36 mM Ca2+. Brooks and Apstein (3) reported an LV developed pressure of 111 ± 4 mmHg in hearts perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 2.2 mM Ca2+. In neither of these studies was LV volume measured or varied. Our developed pressures of 73 ± 17 mmHg with 2.5 mM Ca2+ and 42 ± 14 mmHg with 1.5 mM Ca2+ are low compared with these reports. However, because LV volume was not reported, it is difficult to compare our results directly with these.

Previously, many investigators have employed LV dP/dt as an index of systolic and diastolic function in the mouse heart. In the isolated, working, in vivo heart, maximal LV dP/dt is reported to be 2,800-7,300 mmHg/s (2, 5, 7, 9, 14, 17, 23, 24, 26). Using a microcatheterization technique, Lorenz and Robbins (22) reported maximum and minimum dP/dt of 7,830 ± 670 and -8,614 ± 763 mmHg/s, respectively, in intact, closed chest, anesthetized mice with native heart rates. Compared with these reports, our dP/dt values are apparently low. As mentioned in METHODS, our sampling frequency of 5 ms modestly underestimates dP/dt. In addition, the frequency response of our balloon system is such that accurate dP/dt measurement is possible only at the relatively low heart rate (for the mouse) employed in this study. As a function of the force-frequency relation, the heart rate we employed would be expected to result in lower dP/dt values than those present at native rates. Thus our method may be most useful in evaluating a relative change during an intervention.

Studies of coronary flow in the mouse heart are also limited. In the isolated, working heart preparation, coronary flow is reported to be 2.8-5 ml/min (1, 2, 5, 22, 25). Brooks and Apstein (3) reported a coronary flow of 3.1 ± 0.2 ml/min in their isolated, isovolumically contracting preparation perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer. The coronary flow of 2.9 ± 0.5 ml/min in our preparation is in good agreement with these previous reports.

There is only one report of VO2 in mouse heart. Chu et al. (5) measured a VO2 of 0.14 ml O2 · min-1 · g-1 (heart weight) in their isolated, working heart preparation perfused with buffer containing 2.5 mM Ca2+ at 37°C. Because they did not measure LV volume and the contraction mode was different, it is difficult to compare our results with their data. Nonetheless, our VO2 value of 0.22 ml O2 · min-1 · g-1 (LV weight) is fairly similar.

Using echocardiography, several investigators have reported mouse LV dimensions of 2-4 mm (16, 17, 19, 30). In the present study, the length of the long axis of our balloon was typically 5 mm. We used an LV volume of 0.04 ml as a reference volume. If we assume the balloon is ellipsoidal and has a long-axis radius of 5/2 = 2.5 mm, then the short-axis dimension of the balloon is then 2 × 2 = 4 mm (4/3pi r2 × 2.5 × 10-1 = 4 × 10-2, r = 2 × 10-1). Thus our volume range seems to be physiological compared with in vivo echocardiographic measurements.

LV volume measurement. LV volume measurements by intraventricular balloon have been widely used for evaluation of LV function. This method requires no geometric assumptions. However, there is a potential methodological limitation with all balloon methods, namely, the assumption that the balloon fills all of the space within the ventricle. Previous studies have reported excellent accuracy of volume measurements by the balloon method but also indicate that errors increase at low diastolic pressures, when fitting of the balloon may be impaired (11, 29). In addition, because of the small size of the mouse heart, we could not cut the chordae tendineae, which may increase the space between the balloon and LV wall (29). The volume error (underestimation) of this method in Formalin-fixed mouse hearts with intact chordae tendineae was <10% at intraballoon pressures >40 mmHg but increased up to 35% at intraballoon pressures <5 mmHg. However, the effects of this error on the ESPVR (14% underestimation of Emax and 16% underestimation of V0, based on the average ESPVR) and VO2-PVA relation (4% overestimation of the slope and 0.2% overestimation of the VO2 intercept, based on the average VO2-PVA relation) are relatively small. Thus, although one must be cautious in measuring absolute LV volume at low pressure ranges, the method should be acceptable for evaluation of mechanoenergetics.

ESPVR and VO2-PVA relationship. The major technical advantages of our preparation are the use of a balloon that allows measurement and variation of LV volume combined with measurement of coronary flow and VO2, in conjunction with independent control of coronary perfusion. These features are required for measurement of the ESPVR and the VO2-PVA relation, approaches which have become standards for estimation of ventricular contractility and assessment of mechanoenergetics.

In the present study, the crystalloid-perfused mouse heart demonstrated a curvilinear baseline ESPVR. Curvilinear ESPVRs have been reported in the canine heart with depressed contractility (4) and in rabbit and rat hearts with normal contractility (10, 33). From the viewpoint of the cardiac muscle tension-length relationship, it is reasonable that the ESPVR, the ventricular version of the tension-length relationship, is curvilinear. The curvilinear ESPVR has been explained by length dependence of activation (4), which is believed to result in part from length-dependent changes in the affinity of the contractile proteins to Ca2+ and, in part, from length-dependent changes in the amount of Ca2+ released to the myofilaments (4). Nonlinear regression applied to the ESPVR revealed an average E'max of 1,299 ± 369 mmHg · g · ml-1 with perfusate containing 2.5 mM Ca2+, which is quite similar to values in blood- perfused rabbit hearts (1,360 ± 570 mmHg · g · ml-1) (10). The average E'max of 876 ± 340 mmHg · g · ml-1 with perfusate containing 1.5 mM Ca2+ is similar to values obtained with the same [Ca2+] in crystalloid-perfused rat hearts (645 ± 226 mmHg · g · ml-1) (33).

The curvilinearity of the ESPVR may be obscured when regression analysis is applied to data within a relatively limited volume range. In this situation, there is relatively little change in Emax when altered contractility changes the ESPVR from convex to linear, or vice versa. These phenomena were discussed extensively by Burkhoff et al. (4). In the present study, we could reduce LV volume to a level at which LV pressure was <20 mmHg and varied LV volume widely enough to evaluate a curvilinear ESPVR. This also means that we can directly measure VO2 at nearly zero PVA rather than employing considerable extrapolation to the VO2 axis intercept to estimate this important energetic variable.

In contrast, VO2-PVA relations were well-fitted by straight lines, and in only 1 of 18 instances was the fit better with a curvilinear function. Average slope and VO2 intercept with 2.5 mM Ca2+ were 3.57 ± 1.31 × 10-5 ml O2 · mmHg-1 · ml-1 and 0.92 ± 0.21 × 10-3 ml O2 · beat-1 · g-1, respectively. Thus contractile efficiency, the reciprocal of the slope of the relation, was 0.21 ± 0.07. This value is low compared with reported values in canine (0.35-0.45) (28), rabbit (0.40 ± 0.04) (10), rat (0.53 ± 0.11) (33), and human (0.41 ± 0.06) (20) hearts, but similar to some reports in canine heart (18, 34). Contractile efficiency has been reported to be relatively insensitive to acute changes in contractility and loading conditions. However, changes in composition of the contractile proteins may alter efficiency in thyrotoxic rabbit (12) and failing hearts (21, 34). Thus the lower contractile efficiency in our preparation could be due to species differences in contractile proteins. The fact that the hearts were paced at less than one-half the usual intrinsic rate of the mouse may have also influenced efficiency.

The value of the VO2 intercept of the mouse heart (0.92 ± 0.21 × 10-3 ml O2 · beat-1 · g-1) is higher than that reported in other species, such as canine (0.2- 0.3 × 10-3 ml O2 · beat-1 · g-1) (29), rabbit (0.33 ± 0.10 × 10-3 ml O2 · beat-1 · g-1) (10), and rat (0.38 ± 0.09 × 10-3 ml O2 · beat-1 · g-1) (33). One contributor to the high VO2 intercept may be the relatively low heart rate employed in this study. The VO2 intercept of the VO2-PVA relation reflects mainly VO2 for basal metabolism and excitation-contraction coupling. Because basal VO2 is relatively insensitive to changes in heart rate, basal VO2 per beat increases when heart rate is lowered (15). This feature may be particularly exaggerated in our studies because the difference between the paced heart rate we employed and the native rate of the mouse is larger than in other species in which the VO2-PVA relation has been quantified.

To test the feasibility of our method to detect differences between normal and dysfunctional hearts, we also studied hearts from hypothyroid mice. Using a work-performing preparation, Ng et al. (26) and Grupp et al. (14) reported decreased LV systolic pressure, dP/dt, and cardiac output in hypothyroid mice. Lorenz and Robbins (22) also reported a decreased LV systolic pressure and dP/dt in hypothyroid, closed chest, anesthetized mice using in situ pressure measurement. Our ESPVR data are consistent with these results. In addition, the VO2-PVA relation in these animals revealed a decreased VO2 intercept without a change in slope. These results are similar to our previous observations in hypothyroid rabbits (12).

Limitations. We used non-blood-containing crystalloid perfusate in this study. The decreased O2-carrying capacity of buffer perfusate is compensated by increased coronary flow. However, the increased flow may contribute to increased diastolic stiffness (32). Recent reports indicate that buffer-perfused mouse hearts demonstrate increased diastolic pressure at heart rates >300 beats/min (3). The latter could be due to increases in coronary flow and/or ischemia at higher heart rates. In addition to considerations mentioned earlier, these results suggest that our preparation may be most useful at lower heart rates.

Conclusion. Our results demonstrate that delineation of the ESPVR and the VO2-PVA relation is feasible in the mouse heart and that our methods are accurate enough to detect predictable acute and chronic changes in mechanoenergetics. This approach should allow an assessment of cardiac mechanoenergetics as sophisticated as that previously possible only in larger hearts.

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research was supported by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grant HL-52087.

    FOOTNOTES

Address for reprint requests: M. M. LeWinter, Cardiology Unit, Fletcher Allen Health Care/MCHV campus, 111 Colchester Ave., Burlington, VT 05401.

Received 31 March 1997; accepted in final form 10 September 1997.

    REFERENCES
Top
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References

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AJP Heart Circ Physiol 274(1):H366-H374
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