An easy and quick implantation procedure for the measurement of myocardial wall thickness using sonomicrometry.

Ultrasonic techniques for the measurement of ventricular dimensions are widely used in acute and chronic experiments. Implantation of ultrasonic crystals is associated with reversible and irreversible myocardial damage which might limit the interpretation of the obtained results, in particular during acute experiments. We therefore developed a sonomicrometric device which can be easily and quickly implanted, and thus reduces the reversible myocardial damage induced by prolonged surgical implantation.