Left ventricular volume and function in cynomolgus monkeys using real‐time three‐dimensional echocardiography

Background  The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of evaluating cardiac function by real time three-dimensional (RT3D) echocardiography in isoflurane-anesthetized male cynomolgus monkeys. Additionally differences between inhibitory effects of β-blockers and a Ca channel blocker on left ventricular (LV) function were examined. Methods and Results  End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) and ejection fraction (EF) in the control (without any drug effect) were not significantly changed by repetitive measurement at a 30-day interval. Propranolol and metoprolol (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg/10 minutes, i.v.) caused a dose-dependent increase in ESV, but little effect on EDV, resulting in a decrease in EF. Verapamil (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg/10 minutes, i.v.) increased both EDV and ESV, but decreased EF was noted at 0.3 mg/kg. Conclusions  These results demonstrate the feasibility of RT3D echocardiography in providing reproducible estimations of LV volume and EF in monkeys when evaluating drugs that may affect cardiac function.