Comprehensive Echocardiographic Protocol for Pigs with Emphasis on Diastolic Function: Advantages over MRI Assessment.

Abstract

Swine are increasingly utilized in cardiovascular research due to their anatomical and physiological similarities to humans, particularly for studying diastolic dysfunction. While MRI offers excellent structural imaging, echocardiography provides superior real-time assessment of diastolic parameters. To address the lack of standardized methods and reduce variability across studies, we present a comprehensive guide for performing echocardiography in Yorkshire pigs, detailing anatomical considerations, equipment requirements, and technical approaches. We describe systematic approaches for obtaining and optimizing right parasternal long and short-axis views, apical four-chamber, and subcostal imaging windows, with specific attention to anatomical variations from human cardiac orientation and standard clinical transducer positioning. These tomographic views enable comprehensive assessment of systolic and diastolic function, including ventricular volumes, wall thicknesses, chamber dimensions, ejection fraction, and Doppler measurements of blood flow and tissue velocities. This standardized methodology for echocardiographic images acquisition enhances data reliability in cardiovascular pig models, improving the interpretation of preclinical study results and strengthening translational research outcomes. The protocol also provides consistency for veterinary applications, making echocardiography a preferred modality for longitudinal studies in this valuable translational model.