Echocardiography Dedicated to Small Animal Models (Rodents) in Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathies

This study emphasizes the importance of using tailored echocardiographic parameters for evaluating nonischemic cardiomyopathies (NICs) in small animal (rodent) models. NICs can arise from conditions that cause pressure overload, such as aortic constriction and hypertension, or from volume overload due to impaired renal function and cardiometabolic disorders. In these cases, myocardial injury is typically secondary to extracardiac changes. Conversely, some models involve direct myocardial damage, such as those induced by cardiotoxic drugs or infectious agents, which are marked by acute myocardial edema and subsequent cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Echocardiographic assessment in these models often lacks standardization, leading to variability in data interpretation. To address this, the study proposes a comprehensive framework of echocardiographic parameters, including anatomical, geometric, and functional indices. Special attention is given to detecting reduced ventricular compliance and diastolic dysfunction, which are common features in these models. While ejection fraction is a traditional measure of systolic function, advanced techniques like speckle tracking echocardiography can reveal subclinical systolic dysfunction. The inclusion of parameters related to atrial overload and pulmonary congestion is also recommended. Overall, the study advocates for a standardized echocardiographic approach to enhance the accuracy and translational relevance of NIC research in preclinical animal models.