Echocardiography to Assess Cardiac Structure and Function in Genetic Cardiomyopathies

Galina Flint; Kristina Kooiker; Farid Moussavi-Harami

doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-3527-8_1

Echocardiography to Assess Cardiac Structure and Function in Genetic Cardiomyopathies

Methods Mol Biol. 2024:2735:1-15. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3527-8_1.

Authors

Galina Flint^{1

2

3}, Kristina Kooiker^{2

3

4}, Farid Moussavi-Harami^{5

6

7

8}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
² Center for Translational Muscle Research, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
³ Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
⁴ Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
⁵ Center for Translational Muscle Research, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. [email protected].
⁶ Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. [email protected].
⁷ Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. [email protected].
⁸ Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. [email protected].

PMID: 38038840
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3527-8_1

Abstract

Rodents are the most common experimental models used in cardiovascular research including studies of genetic cardiomyopathies. Genetic cardiomyopathies are characterized by changes in cardiac structure and function. Echocardiography allows for relatively inexpensive, non-invasive, reliable, and reproducible assessment of these changes. However, the fast heart and small size present unique challenges for investigators. To ensure accuracy and reproducibility of these measurements, investigators need to be familiar with standard practices in the field, normal values, and potential pitfalls. The goal of this chapter is to describe steps needed for reliable acquisition and analysis of echocardiography in rodent models. Additionally, we discuss some common pitfalls and challenges.

Keywords: Cardiomyopathy; Doppler; Echocardiogram; Rodent models; Strain.

MeSH terms

Cardiomyopathies* / diagnostic imaging
Cardiomyopathies* / genetics
Echocardiography
Heart* / diagnostic imaging
Humans
Reproducibility of Results