Cell Biology JoVE (Open Access) Citable · DOI

Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound

Name: Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound
Uploaded: 2026-06-17
Duration: 10 min 8 s
Description: We present a protocol for measuring in vivo aortic stiffness in mice using high-resolution ultrasound imaging. Aortic diameter is measured by ultrasound ...

DOI: 10.3791/52200-v

What you'll learn

✓ Measure aortic diameter in vivo using high-frequency ultrasound imaging
✓ Insert and use solid-state pressure catheters for invasive hemodynamic monitoring
✓ Calculate aortic stiffness from pressure-diameter relationships
✓ Interpret stiffness parameters in murine cardiovascular physiology

Protocol

We describe a technique for measuring aortic stiffness from its pressure-diameter relationship in vivo in mice. Aortic diameter is recorded by ultrasound and aortic pressure is measured invasively with a solid-state pressure catheter. Blood pressure is changed incrementally and the resulting diameter is measured.

Difficulty

advanced

Total time

~90-120 min per mouse

Model organism

Mouse

Biosafety

BSL-1

Steps

Prepare mouse and anesthesia setup

Position mouse on heated platform and induce general anesthesia using approved protocols. Maintain body temperature and monitor vital signs throughout preparation.

▶ 01:15

Insert carotid artery catheter

Perform surgical approach to expose the carotid artery and insert a solid-state pressure catheter for hemodynamic monitoring and pressure recording.

▶ 02:25

Insert venous catheter for blood pressure modulation

Insert a catheter into the jugular vein to allow controlled administration of vasoactive agents or fluids to incrementally change systemic blood pressure.

▶ 03:38

Acquire ultrasound images of ascending aorta

Position high-frequency ultrasound transducer over the ascending aorta and record video sequences capturing aortic diameter at rest and during blood pressure perturbations.

▶ 06:06

Analyze aortic stiffness from pressure-diameter data

Extract aortic diameter measurements from ultrasound images and correlate with simultaneous pressure recordings to calculate stiffness indices and elastic moduli.

▶ 08:55

💬 Comments coming soon