J Transl Med. 2014 Feb 7;12:37. doi: 10.1186/1479-5876-12-37.

Rat model of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Ali AA, Downey P, Singh G, Qi W, George I, Takayama H, Kirtane A, Krishnan P, Zalewski A, Freed D, Large SR, Ashley EA, Leon MB, Bacchetta M, Ali ZA¹.

Author information

1: Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy, Division of Cardiology, New York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University, 161 Fort Washington Avenue, Herbert Irving Pavilion, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10032, USA. zaa2112@columbia.edu.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

We aim to develop a rat model of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).

METHODS:

VA-ECMO was established in twelve Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-350 g) through cannulation of the right jugular vein for venous drainage and the right femoral artery for arterial reinfusion. Arterial blood pressure was measured using a conductance catheter through cannulation of the left carotid artery. Heart rate was monitored by electrocardiography and arterial blood gas parameters with a blood gas analyzer. The VA-ECMO circuit was tested by subjecting the rats to hypoxic cardiac arrest with resuscitation using VA-ECMO. Both load-dependent and load-independent measures of myocardial contractility were measured using pressure-volume loop analysis to confirm restoration of myocardial function post-resuscitation.

RESULTS:

Following hypoxic cardiac arrest VA-ECMO provided sufficient oxygenation to support the circulation. The haemodynamic and blood gas parameters were maintained at transition and during ECMO. All animals were resuscitated, regained cardiac function and were able to be weaned off ECMO post-resuscitation.