AIM To explore a method for measuring carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) by Doppler ultrasonography in rat models and apply it in an aortic stiffness evaluation in spontaneous hypertension rats (SHR) compared to a control group. To test whether this method can differentiate increased arterial stiffness (AS) of SHR and its application value.
METHODS Twelve male SHR and 12 healthy Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats with the same age and comparable weight were included in the investigation. The carotid-femoral PWV was measured in the two groups by Doppler ultrasonography.
RESUTLS There were no statistically significant differences between SHR and WKY rats in age, body length, body weight, heart rate. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures of SHR were significantly higher than those of control group (176 ± 4) vs (121 ± 5) mmHg, (123 ± 4) vs (85 ± 5) mmHg, P < 0.01. Compared with the control group, the carotid-femoral PWV values of the SHR were significantly increased (6.5 ± 1.0) vs (4.5 ± 0.9) m/s, P < 0.01. A Bland-Altman plot revealed good inter-observer reproducibility.
CONCLUSION This study presents the method of noninvasively measuring carotid-femoral PWV in a rat models, which could accurately measure the pulse wave transit time and distance. The carotid-femoral PWV measurements differentiated increased arterial stiffness (AS) of SHR from controls. This study may provide a reliable method for noninvasive AS evaluation in rat models in research settings.
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