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Isolated Heart for Small Rodents IHSR (Mouse, Rat and Guinea Pig)

Specifications

 Operating Modes:
 Version LH Only Langendorff Mode at onstant pressure or constant flow
 Version WH  Working Heart Mode (after Neely)

 Limiting Data:
 Aorta  ID 0.8 to 2.5 mm
 Pulmonary Artery  ID0.8 to 2.5 mm
 Aortic Flow  Up to 50 ml/min
 Aortic Pressure  Up to 300 mmHg
 Atrial Pressure  Up to 10 mmHg approx. with special option up to 30 mmHg

Applications:

  • Testing inotropic and vasoactive substances
  • Testing cardiac rhythm (chronotropic and arrythmogenic effects)
  • Assessment of the refractory period
  • Cardiovascular screening of transgenic mice
  • Constant pressure or constant flow perfusion of isolated rodent hearts with the same apparatus
  • Compact unit improved for low volume and high temperature stability High perfusion pressure possible (up to 300 mmHg)
  • Continuous measurement of heart mechanics and bioelectrical signals Langendorff or Working Heart Configurations - Easy to Upgrade
  • The special flow resistance and compliance chamber closely mimics the in-vivo afterload

Signals for Langendorff Preparation are:

  • LVP isovolumetric LVP or contraction force
  • PP perfusion pressure
  • CF coronary flow
  • EG electrogram
  • MAP Monophasic action potential (Epi and Endocardial)

Signals for Working Heart Preparation are:

  • PrP preload pressure
  • AoP aortic pressure (afterload)
  • LVP left Ventricular Pressure, measured with tip catheter
  • AF aortic flow
  • CO cardiac output (flow into left atrium)
  • EG electrogram
  • MAP Monophasic action potential (Epi and Endocardial)

Other Signals

  • WT wall thickness or left ventricle diameter
  • pO2a oxygen partial pressure in the affluent
  • pHa pH in the affluent
  • pO2e oxygen partial pressure in the effluent
  • pHe pH in the effluent

The IHSR apparatus has been designed for experiments on the isolated heart of small rodents like rats or guinea pigs, and especially mice. Available in two versions: LH = Langendorff Heart
and WH = Working Heart. Both versions allow easy conversion between constant pressure and constant flow conditions. The WH version of the apparatus allows isolated heart experiments in both LH or WH mode. Mode changeover is performed through a few simple manipulations; no additional conversion of the apparatus required. The precision design simplifies system use and minimizes user error.

In LH mode, the coronary vessels are perfused by retrograde flow through the aorta. Under constant pressure conditions, coronary flow can be measured with a flow probe while in constant flow experiments, the perfusion pressure can be measured with a pressure transducer. Measurement of isovolumetirc left ventricular pressure (LVP) (balloon method) is facilitated by custom LVP balloon catheters.

In WH mode the left atrium is cannulated and the heart performs pressure volume work. Atrial preload is set by a simple fluid column height adjustment. Measurable parameters in WH mode include perfusion pressure, aortic flow, total cardiac output from left atrial flow, atrial preload pressure, LVP pressure via aortic cannulation or ventricular cannulation.

Parameters that can be monitored in either LH or WH modes include ECG, and Monophasic Action Potential. Traditional blood gas measurements (pO2, pCO2 and pH) as well as ion concentrations can also be monitored by pulmonary artery cannulation in rats and guinea pigs but is not available for mice.

 

 


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HUGO SACHS ELEKTRONIK-HARVARD APPARATUS GmbH
Gruenstrasse 1 · D-79232 March-Hugstetten · GERMANY
Phone: +49 (0) 76 65 - 92 00-0 · Fax: +49 (0) 76 65 - 92 00-90