A New Method for the Visualization of Subepicardial Coronary Arteries in Small Isolated Mammalian Hearts
Abstract A model is described which permits direct visualization of large coronary arteries in a supported modified perfused heart preparation, using a perfluorochemical (FC-43) as perfusate. Filling of a large coronary artery with Patent Blue Dye is recorded by gated photography (color arteriography). The technique is applicable to the study of reactivity (spasm) of coronary arteries in hearts of small and large animals (rats, rabbits, dogs). The technique has the following advantages: preservation of vascular endothelium, adequate oxygenation, avoidance of major surgical intervention to implant sensors for the detection of changes in coronary diameter, quantitative evaluation of time dependent changes in geometry of large coronary arteries and simultaneous measurement of large coronary vessel and total coronary vascular resistance.
Author contributions ::: ::: GH helped design the study, establish the animal model, collect and analyze samples, and write the manuscript. YY and DH helped establish the animal model, performed Western blotting, immunohistochemistry analyses. YY and DH also helped analyse data and revise the manuscript. QYW and JK contributed to study planning, analyse and interpret data, review and revise the manuscript. All authors have approved the final version of this article to be published and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring the questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work. ::: ::: ::: ::: Disclosure ::: ::: The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.