An improved method of left ventricular catheterization in rats

Left ventricular catheterization is a key step for hemodynamic studies. At present, the right common carotid artery is a popular entrance, but right common carotid artery punctuation and ligation primarily leads to obstruction and second left ventricular catheterization in the same animal cannot be performed. In this note, we will describe an improved method of catheterization in rats using guide wires of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) through the right external carotid artery and right common carotid artery, respectively. 30 rats anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (50 mg kg(-1)) underwent the first operation and, 2 weeks later, 29 were successfully catheterized again. One rat died of left ventricle perforation while the hemodynamic monitor was performing. Therefore, our method proves able to be performed two times in one animal. Moreover, it inflicts less injury during the operation, because the tube was advanced through a soft guide wire.