Scientists discuss the value and utility of heart rate variability (HRV) as a preclinical tool for studying both cardiovascular, and non-cardiovascular related diseases in small and large animal models.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a valuable tool used to investigate the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. Parasympathetic nerves slow heart rate through the release of acetylcholine. Sympathetic nerves accelerate heart rate and force of contraction through the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine from nerve terminals and the adrenal glands. Heart rate and blood pressure spontaneously fluctuate even while resting or during steady-state conditions. HRV allows observation of the specific frequencies resulting from the fluctuations and provides insight to autonomic function. Thus, HRV is a valuable method that can be used to study various cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, and hypertension, AND non-cardiovascular related diseases such as stroke, diabetes, alcoholism, cancer, and glaucoma, to name a few.

In this webinar, sponsored by Data Sciences International, scientists will present case studies investigating HRV using both rodent and large animal telemetry. First, Emma Karey will discuss how to distill autonomic function from rodent ECG telemetry recordings collected by the Chen lab in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of California, Davis. Specifically, she will discuss (1) how to identify and interpret the physiological significance of HRV in conscious, freely moving rodents, (2) how to efficiently obtain clean ECG recordings for downstream HRV analysis using select Data Insights software functions, and (3) how reductions in HRV can reflect cardiac dysfunction (in rodent models) that is caused—at least in some part—by changes in the cardiac vagal inputs to the SA node.

Following, John Wollard, Principle Research Technologist from the Lilach Lerman Renovascular Disease Research Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic, will present a case study involving a swine model of human disease related to renovascular dysfunction and metabolic syndrome. Specifically, he will share laboratory methodology, best-practices and preliminary data showing the value of heart rate variability as it relates to the investigation of metabolic dysfunction and hypercholesterolemia.

Click to watch the webinar recording. To view the presentation full screen simply click the square icon located in the bottom-right corner of the video-viewer.

Resources

To retrieve a PDF copy of the presentation, click on the link below the slide player. From this page, click on the “Download” link to retrieve the file.

Presenters

Principal Research Technologist
Lilach Lerman Research Laboratory
Mayo Clinic

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Environmental Medicine
NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Dr. Karey earned her PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of California at Davis in 2018. Upon graduating, she joined the lab of inhalation toxicologist Dr. Terry Gordon, as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. Her research has centered on characterizing the toxicity of popular alternative-tobacco products, including electronic-cigarettes and hookah waterpipes, in cohorts of users. Of particular interest are unique e-cigarette constituents and behaviors that may lead to novel (and vaping-specific) health risks. During her tenure at NYU, Dr. Karey has also authored several vaping papers aimed at both clinical and tobacco-research audiences. These include an invited commentary that discusses the ongoing difficulty comparing the relative risks of different tobacco products and a comprehensive review of e-cigarette toxicity.

Production Partner

Data Sciences International

Data Sciences International (DSI) is the leader in preclinical physiological monitoring offering telemetry, instrumentation, software and services to help advance science. Industries served include: Pharmaceuticals, Academia, Contract Research Organizations, Biological and Chemical Defense, Medical Devices, Government, and Biotechnology.

Harvard Bioscience, Inc.

Harvard Bioscience is a global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of solutions to advance life science research. For over 110 years, we have served the changing needs of life scientists in over 100 countries. Our expanding portfolio of brands include instruments for organ and animal research, cell analysis, molecular biology, fluidics, and laboratory consumables.

Additional Content From Data Sciences International

Additional Content From Harvard Bioscience, Inc.

Related Content