A rodent microsurgery and equipment training program for cardiovascular researchers focused on collecting pressure-volume loops and creating cardiac disease models such as MI and TAC in small animals.

This rodent microsurgery workshop is designed for scientists who want to develop and hone their surgical skills while learning about advanced applications and measurements of hemodynamics and cardiovascular function in rodent models. The laboratory training component is supplemented with course material delivered by webinar – this ensures registrants are adequately prepared for lab training modules and maximizes hands-on time in the lab. Course attendees will gain in-depth experience using catheter-tipped pressure transducers and pressure-volume catheters as the primary means of studying cardiac performance in both open and closed-chest models.  Attendees will learn how to monitor and analyze baseline hemodynamic data as well as advanced PV loop indices of function including preload, afterload, contractility, lusitropy, and heart-vasculature interactions.  Attendees also have the option of learning how to acquire and analyze right ventricular PV loops.  The course focuses on rodent survival surgery and producing reliable models of cardiac dysfunction, including myocardial infarction and aortic banding (TAC). Course topics include how to create models of disease consistently and the associated methods for studying changes in function.

Application Process:

Step 1 – Complete the Application Form below
Step 2 – Our team will connect with you to discuss your training requirements and firm up a date for you to attend the course
Step 3 – Pay your registration fee to confirm your spot

Learning Outcomes:

  • Foundations in rodent microsurgery – microscopy, tools and optimization of surgical area
  • Sedation, intubation, vital signs monitoring and vessel isolation
  • Open and closed-chest surgical approaches for accessing the left and right ventricles
  • Introduction to Pressure-Volume Loop (PV Loop) measurements using combination pressure-volume catheters
  • Survival procedures, including myocardial infarction and aortic banding models (others upon request)
  • Advanced PV loop concepts including contractility, energetics and work
  • How to record and analyze load-independent measurements of function (ESPVR, EDPVR, PRSW)
  • Proper statistical analysis of hemodynamic data and how to present data for publication

Laboratory equipment for this course has been graciously supplied by the following companies:

  • Transonic Systems:  Pressure and Pressure-Volume Catheters and Hardware (learn more)
  • ADInstruments: Data Acquisition and Analysis Systems (learn more)
  • Scintica Instrumentation: Indus Instruments Rodent Surgical Monitoring Systems (learn more)
  • Kent Scientific: Rodent Ventilation and Low-Flow Anesthesia Systems (learn more)
  • Harvard Apparatus:  Mouse Ventilation and Surgical Tools (learn more)
  • Durect Corporation: ALZET Osmotic Pumps (learn more)
  • W. Nuhsbaum:  Leica M60 microscope, illumination and camera system for surgical demonstration (learn more)

Next Course: March 22, 2023

Location:

University of Wisconsin – Madison Cardiovascular Physiology and Surgery Core Facility

Registration Fee

  • Industry: $3,295 (USD)
  • Academia: $2,795 (USD)

Workshop Dates

    March 22 - March 24, 2023

    June 14 - June 16, 2023

    September 13 - September 15, 2023

    November 29 - December 1, 2023

Application Form

Workshop_UW-Madison_Form
Please confirm that you are a researcher at an academic institution who works with rodent cardiovascular models and would like to apply for partial or full scholarship to cover the cost of the Course Registration Fee. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must provide a research summary below that outlines how the course will be used to further your research goals. To learn more, see the Scholarship flyer here.

Instructors

Timothy A. Hacker, ;PhD

Timothy A. Hacker, PhD

Director
Cardiovascular Physiology and Surgery Core Facility
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Dr. Hacker is a Senior Scientist and Director of the Cardiovascular Physiology and Surgery Core Facility at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His work at the Cardiovascular Research Core Lab facility provides researchers with surgical models of disease as well as non-invasive imaging and invasive physiologic monitoring of the disease process. Dr. Hacker has established cardiac disease models in mice, rats, rabbits, pigs, dogs and primates.
Allison Rodgers (Brodbeck)

Allison Rodgers (Brodbeck)

Associate Researcher
Cardiovascular Physiology and Surgery Core Facility
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Allison Rodgers completed her BA at Roger Williams University in 2012 in Marine Biology. She then began her career in animal husbandry working with, and training, exotic species including cetaceans and pinnipeds. Her work at the Cardiovascular Research Core Lab facility primarily focuses on providing researchers with non-invasive imaging. Rodgers is also instrumental in project management and logistics, large animal surgery and data analysis/manipulation.
Rachel Taylor, ;PhD

Rachel Taylor, PhD

Dr. Rachel Taylor has a BS in Animal Science and a PhD in Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition from UW-Madison. Her doctoral research focused on metabolism of the trace element selenium in turkeys. Additionally, she has worked extensively with mice, rats, chickens and pigs. Currently Dr. Taylor is an assistant researcher in the Core lab and her work focuses on rodent microsurgery, including creating models of myocardial infarction, pneumonectomy and acute limb ischemia.

Workshop Sponsor

Transonic Systems Inc.

Transonic Systems Inc.
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ADInstruments

ADInstruments
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Kent Scientific Corporation

Kent Scientific Corporation
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Scintica Instrumentation, Inc.

Scintica Instrumentation, Inc.
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Harvard Apparatus

Harvard Apparatus
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ALZET Osmotic Pumps

ALZET Osmotic Pumps
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