Catheterization of the right ventricle and pulmonary artery in rabbit model

Abstract

Objective To explore the method for right ventricle catheterization in close chest rabbit model without guidance of radiative equipments,and to compare the differences between superior and inferior vena caval routes in pulmonary artery catheterization under radiative guidance in close chest rabbit model.Methods The experimental animals were 60 New Zealand rabbits with a 1:1 male to female ratio.Twenty rabbits were used in anatomical measurements.According to body mass,they were divided into light body mass group (n=10) and heavy body mass group (n=10).Anatomical data of these rabbits were measured,and the surface landmarks of the right atrium were determined by dissection.Catheters used for subsequent experiments were selected and modified according to these anatomical data obtained.Another 20rabbits were used for right ventricular catheterization.The depth of catheterization was estimated based on the right atrium landmarks combined with the total length of the right common jugular vein.The rate of successful catheterization was determined by dissection.The remaining 20 rabbits were randomly divided into the superior vena cava group (n=10) and the inferior vena cava group (n=l0).3F miniature catheter was advanced to the pulmonary artery of the close-chest rabbit through superior vena cava or inferior vena cava under guidance with digital subtraction angiography.The rate of successful catheterization was then compared between two groups.Results The body surface landmark of right atrium was located at the junction of the second right rib and the sternum of rabbit in supine position.In the light and heavy body mass groups,the length of the right common jugular vein was (6.2±0.2) cm vs (7.1±0.4) cm; the diameter of this vein,(3.7± 0.1) mm vs (4.1±0.3) mm; the diameter of tricuspid annulus,(3.5±0.2) mm vs (4.1±0.3) mm,accordingly.The successful rate of right ventricle catheterization was 80.0％ (16/20).Compared with superior vena cava route,pulmonary artery catheterization via inferior vena cava yielded significantly higher rate of success [100.0％ (10/10) vs 40.0％ (4/10),P＜0.01].Conclusions A new method for catheterization of right ventricle in close chest rabbits was developed.Compared with the superior vena caval route,catheterization of pulmonary artery in rabbits via inferior vena cava appears more likely to be successful. Key words: Rabbits; Models, animal; Pulmonary artery; Right ventricle; Catheterization