P2.16: Pulse Wave Velocity Assessed by Non-Invasive Tonometry, in Anesthetized Göttingen Minipigs

• Published in: Artery research Vol. 7; no. 3-4; p. 123
• Main Authors: Ludvigsen, T. P., Wiinberg, N., Jensen, C. J., Callesen, A. T., Pedersen, H. D., Christoffersen, B. Ø., Olsen, L. H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 2013; Springer Nature B.V; BMC
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis; Conference Abstract
• ISSN: 1872-9312; 1876-4401; 1876-4401
• DOI: 10.1016/j.artres.2013.10.077

Introduction
Assessment of pulse wave velocity (PWV) is recognized as a marker of arterial stiffness within human medicine. Non-invasive evaluation of arterial structural changes in relation to atherosclerosis in porcine models of cardiovascular disease, would be valuable in longitudinal assessment of pathophysiological changes, e.g. in relation to drug effect.
Objective
To evaluate the feasibility and reproducibility of PWV in anesthetized male Göttingen minipigs.
Method
Animals were anesthetized every second day (three days in total) using constant intravenous infusion of ketamine and midazolam. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) assessed by oscillometry and heart rate (HR) were registered. PWV was calculated as the distance between the carotid and femoral artery divided by the time delay of pressure pulses, assessed by aplanation tonometry and simultaneously recorded electrocardiography (ECG). Results: MAP was 87.6 mmHg ± 11.9 (mean ± SD), 80.5 mmHg ± 12.7 and 84.3 mmHg ± 19.4 at the three examinations respectively, and HR was 77 beats per minute (BPM) ± 12, 71 BPM ± 8 and 74 BPM ± 9. PWV was 6.3 m/s ± 2.19, 5.7 m/s ± 0.6 and 5.9 m/s ± 1.4, respectively. There was no significant effect of examination day, MAP, or HR on PWV, evaluated by analysis of variance. Mean inter-examination coefficient of variation was 16%. Conclusion: Assessment of PWV is feasible in anesthetized Göttingen minipigs, and therefore could have perspectives in a porcine model of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, reference values from this study corresponded to PWV values obtained from infants or young human individuals.