A tomographic microscopy-compatible Langendorff system for the dynamic structural characterization of the cardiac cycle

Introduction: Cardiac architecture has been extensively investigated ex vivo using a broad spectrum of imaging techniques. Nevertheless, the heart is a dynamic system and the structural mechanisms governing the cardiac cycle can only be unveiled when investigating it as such.

Methods: This work presents the customization of an isolated, perfused heart system compatible with synchrotron-based X-ray phase contrast imaging (X-PCI).

Results: Thanks to the capabilities of the developed setup, it was possible to visualize a beating isolated, perfused rat heart for the very first time in 4D at an unprecedented 2.75 μm pixel size (10.6 μm spatial resolution), and 1 ms temporal resolution.

Discussion: The customized setup allows high-spatial resolution studies of heart architecture along the cardiac cycle and has thus the potential to serve as a tool for the characterization of the structural dynamics of the heart, including the effects of drugs and other substances able to modify the cardiac cycle.