A Murine Model of Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. Issue 12 (11th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kharnaf, Mousa; Hogue, Spencer; Wilkes, Zachariah; Reagor, James A.; Leino, Daniel G.; Gourley, Benjamin; Rosenfeldt, Leah; Ma, Qing; Devarajan, Prasad; Palumbo, Joseph S.; Tweddell, James S.; Zafar, Farhan
• Is Part Of: ASAIO journal. Volume 68:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: e243
• Page End: e250
• Publication Date: 2022-10-11
• Subjects: Artificial organs -- Periodicals; 617
• DOI: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000001828
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-2916

Abstract

Abstract : The mechanisms driving the pathologic state created by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remain poorly defined. We developed the first complete blood-primed murine model of veno-arterial ECMO capable of maintaining oxygenation and perfusion, allowing molecular studies that are unavailable in larger animal models. Fifteen C57BL/6 mice underwent ECMO by cannulating the left common carotid artery and the right external jugular vein. The mean arterial pressure was measured through cannulation of the femoral artery. The blood-primed circuit functioned well. Hemodynamic parameters remained stable and blood gas analyses showed adequate oxygenation of the animals during ECMO over a 1-hour timeframe. A significant increase in plasma-free hemoglobin was observed following ECMO, likely secondary to hemolysis within the miniaturized circuit components. Paralleling clinical data, ECMO resulted in a significant increase in plasma levels of multiple proinflammatory cytokines as well as evidence of early signs of kidney and liver dysfunction. These results demonstrate that this novel, miniature blood-primed ECMO circuit represents a functional murine model of ECMO that will provide unique opportunities for further studies to expand our knowledge of ECMO-related pathologies using the wealth of available genetic, pharmacological, and biochemical murine reagents not available for other species.