ECG-gated dynamic magnetic resonance imaging method for examination of the pig heart

A dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method was developed for in vivo examination of the pig heart. Measurements were carried out on 15 meat-type pigs of different liveweight using a 1.5 T equipment. Inhalation anaesthesia was applied, then data acquisition was synchronised by ECG gating. Depending on the heart rate and heart size, in each case 8 to 10 slices and in each slice 8 to 14 phases were acquired prospectively according to one heart cycle. During the post-processing of the images the left and the right ventricular volumes were determined. The values measured at 106 kg liveweight are 2.5 times higher than those obtained at 22 kg, while the ejection fractions are equal. The calculated cardiac output values were 3.5 l (22 kg, 132 beats/min.), and 6.0 l (106 kg, 91 beats/min.), respectively. After measuring the wall thickness, the contraction values were also determined for the septum (70%), and for the anterior (61%), posterior (41%) and lateral (54%) walls of the left ventricle. Three-dimensional animated models of the ventricles were constructed. Based on the investigations performed, the preconditioning, the anaesthetic procedure, the specific details of ECG measurement and the correct MR imaging technique were worked out

Magnetic resonance imaging technique for the examination of canine mammary tumours

The aim of this study was to adapt the human magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences for use in the routine examination of canine mammary glands. MRI was performed on 10, middle- to old-aged dogs of different breeds. It was found that T1- and T2-weighted spin echo, short T1 inversion recovery sequences and a gradient echo (GE) dynamic T1-weighted measurement made in the coronal and transversal planes were the most informative MR diagnostic methods for imaging canine mammary tumours. The static MR technique is the most detailed imaging modality for differentiating the tissue types in the substance of the mammary gland. The MRI findings were in close relationship with the histological result (five malignant mixed tumours and five cases of invasive ductal carcinoma). Using the GE dynamic contrast-enhanced sequence the morphological patterns as well as the kinetic parameters proved to be malignant. By the dynamic measurement technique initial information was obtained on the contrast enhancing properties, which are valuable factors during in vivo staging and in the prognostic work

Overview of large animal myocardial infarction models (review)

There are several experimental models for the in vivo investigation of myocardial infarction (MI) in small (mouse, rat) and large animals (dog, pig, sheep and baboons). The application of large animal models raises ethical concerns, the design of experiments needs longer follow-up times, requiring proper breeding and housing conditions, therefore resulting in higher cost, than in vitro or small animal studies. On the other hand, the relevance of large animal models is very important, since they mostly resemble to human physiological and pathophysiological processes. The first main difference among MI models is the method of induction (open or closed chest, e.g. surgical or catheter based); the second main difference is the presence or absence of reperfusion. The former (i.e. reperfused MI) allows the investigation of reperfusion injury and new catheter based techniques during percutaneous coronary interventions, while the latter (i.e. nonreperfused MI) serves as a traditional coronary occlusion model, to test the effects of new pharmacological agents and biological therapies, as cell therapy. The reperfused and nonreperfused myocardial infarction has different outcomes, regarding left ventricular function, remodelling, subsequent heart failure, aneurysm formation and mortality. Our aim was to review the literature and report our findings regarding experimental MI models, regarding the differences among species, methods, reproducibility and interpretation