Kupferwasser I, Darius H, Buerke M, Rupprecht H J, Mohr-Kahaly S, Meyer J
Department of Medicine II, Mainz University, Germany.
J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 1998 Feb;11(2):201-5. doi: 10.1016/s0894-7317(98)70077-x.
The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of transesophageal ultrasonography in rats by using an intravascular ultrasound system for visualization of vegetations at the aortic valve in the animal model of experimental endocarditis. After anesthesia and preparation of the right carotid artery, a polyethylene catheter was advanced across the aortic valve into the left ventricle in 91 rats. For transesophageal ultrasonography an intravascular ultrasound catheter (3.5 French; 30 MHz) linked to an imaging system was introduced into the esophagus. Sonographic investigations were performed every 24 hours until death. The presence, size, and echogenicity of vegetations were evaluated. Presence and size were compared to autopsy findings. No complications occurred as a result of the sonographic investigation. Left-sided valvular structures were imaged regularly. For detection of vegetations, sensitivity and specificity were 93% and 88%, respectively. Comparing the measurements of the vegetation size the following regression equation was obtained: y = 0.74x + 0.04 (r = 0.89; standard error of estimate = 0.02 cm). Inter- and intraobserver variabilities for sonographic measurements were 8.3% and 6.2%, respectively. Transesophageal ultrasonography permits reliable detection and repetitive accurate quantification of vegetations in the rat model of endocarditis. The technique enhances longitudinal studies of the dynamic process of the growth of vegetations under defined microbial conditions.
本研究的目的是通过使用血管内超声系统，在实验性心内膜炎动物模型中，测试经食管超声心动图在大鼠中的可行性，以可视化主动脉瓣上的赘生物。对91只大鼠进行麻醉并准备好右颈动脉后，将一根聚乙烯导管经主动脉瓣推进左心室。为进行经食管超声心动图检查，将一根与成像系统相连的血管内超声导管（3.5F；30MHz）插入食管。每24小时进行一次超声检查，直至大鼠死亡。评估赘生物的存在、大小和回声性。将赘生物的存在和大小与尸检结果进行比较。超声检查未引发任何并发症。左侧瓣膜结构成像正常。对于赘生物的检测，敏感性和特异性分别为93%和88%。比较赘生物大小的测量值，得到以下回归方程：y = 0.74x + 0.04（r = 0.89；估计标准误差 = 0.02 cm）。超声测量的观察者间和观察者内变异性分别为8.3%和6.2%。经食管超声心动图能够可靠地检测心内膜炎大鼠模型中的赘生物，并对其进行重复、准确的定量。该技术有助于在特定微生物条件下，对赘生物生长的动态过程进行纵向研究。
