Source
The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Vic., Australia Department of Cardiology, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Vic., Australia The National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Baboon Colony, Sydney, Australia Department of Renal Medicine, The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia The University of Western Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
Background To determine systolic and diastolic function using transthoracic echocardiography in the baboon (Papio hamadryas). Methods Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in eight non-pregnant female and six pregnant baboons according to American Society of Echocardiography recommendations. Results Haemodynamic measurements were obtained from fourteen baboons. Compared to non-pregnant baboons, pregnant baboons demonstrated: (mean ± SD, pregnant vs. healthy) increased cardiac output (1615 ± 121 ml/minutes vs. 1317 ± 134 ml/minutes P = 0.001) due to an increased heart rate [120 ± 11 beats per minute (BPM) vs. 105 ± 6 BPM P = 0.018]. The inter-observer and intra-observer variability (mean difference ± SD) for the left ventricular outflow tract diameter was 0.05 ± 0.07 cm and 0.01 ± 0.03 cm respectively. There was minimal impact to the animal's daily activities. Conclusions Transthoracic echocardiography was applicable and reproducible for the assessment of haemodynamics in baboons thus enabling translation of animal results to human studies.
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.