Non-invasive assessment of cardiac function in a mouse model of renovascular hypertension

Hypertension continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, underscoring the need to better understand its early effects on the myocardium. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of in vivo longitudinal assessment of cardiac function, particularly diastolic function, in a mouse model of renovascular hypertension. Renovascular hypertension (RVH) was induced in 129S1/SvImJ male mice (n=9). To assess left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function, M-mode echocardiography, pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging were performed at baseline, 2 and 4 weeks after the induction of renal artery stenosis. Myocardial tissue was collected to assess cellular morphology, fibrosis, extracellular matrix remodeling and inflammation ex vivo. RVH led to a significant increase in systolic blood pressure after 2 and 4 weeks (baseline: 99.26±1.09 mm Hg; 2 weeks: 140.90±7.64 mm Hg; 4 weeks: 147.52±5.91 mm Hg, P<0.05), resulting in a significant decrease in LV end-diastolic volume, associated with a significant elevation in ejection fraction and preserved cardiac output. Furthermore, the animals developed an abnormal diastolic function profile, with a shortening in the E velocity deceleration time as well as increases in the E/e′ and the E/A ratio. The ex vivo analysis revealed a significant increase in myocyte size and deposition of extracellular matrix. Non-invasive high-resolution ultrasonography allowed assessment of the diastolic function profile in a small animal model of renovascular hypertension.