Initial studies of cardiovascular monitoring feasibility using EndoGear 2, a fully implantable telemetry system in swine model

Introduction Current methodological recommendations for directly translational and clinically relevant models of cardiovascular disease portray large animal models as a mainstay for drug, cell, and gene therapy and for device development and surgical procedure testing. The translational capacity of swine telemetry models has been plagued by an inability to longitudinally assess cardiovascular parameters due to its technological limitations using telemetric instrumentation. Historically, 24‐hour monitoring has required technical staff to physically connect externalized wires which are prone to damage, making the appeal of a fully enclosed automatable data collection system desirable. Methods We have performed initial studies to assess cardiovascular parameters employing Transonic EndoGear® 2 (EG2‐Q1S3T‐M25) biotelemetry system on 50kg male domestic swine. At telemeter implantation, a perivascular 2.5 QS flow probe was placed around the left anterior descending coronary artery, 2 ECG leads were attached directly to myocardium, a 3.5F systemic pressure transducer was inserted into the left internal mammary artery and a 7F left ventricular pressure transducer was inserted into the left ventricle via an apical transmural stab. All data were recorded using EMKA IOX software. Results Animals were monitored continuously for 24 hours following the procedure and then for 5 minutes each hour for 1 week subsequently prior to sacrifice. All measurements were within the expected range consistent with previous studies we have performed and animals were able to be reliably monitored for all indicated parameters in real time throughout the monitoring period. Conclusion These initial studies indicate the feasibility using EndoGear 2 in longitudinal studies monitoring major cardiovascular parameters in untethered and unrestrained swine. The platform enables, for the first time, telemetered monitoring of the coronary artery blood flow using transit time technology. Support or Funding Information Funded by: R01 HL117620 04