Physiologic assessment of a new mouse model of abnormal cardiac conductance: Chronic electrocardiogram, heart rate, temperature, and activity via telemetry

Miniature telemetry devices have enabled smaller animals to be implanted for monitoring cardiovascular (CV) parameters. Advances in the derivation and screening of mouse models of CV disorders, including n ‐ethyl‐ n ‐nitrosourea (ENU)‐induced single gene mutants, have enabled identification and isolation of key elements leading to human CV disease. This study demonstrates that telemetry is an accurate and effective method for assessing mouse mutants with aberrant electrocardiograms (ECG). A recently characterized ENU mutant with prolonged P‐R interval and long QT was instrumented with a new ETA‐F10 transmitter (DSI, St. Paul, MN); control animals (C57BL6/J) were also implanted. The transmitter is implanted via midline laparotomy and the ECG sensing leads are placed in a lead II configuration. Experimental and control groups were continuously monitored to obtain ECG, heart rate, temperature, and activity data. Results show that these data can be easily and accurately sampled in unrestrained mice and that strains carrying genetic mutations affecting CV function are readily distinguishable from control animals. This approach adds important in‐depth characterization of mouse CV disease models without complicating the interpretation of outcome with anesthesia or restraint. DSI provided lab space and monitoring equipment; JAX provided mice with support from NHLBI Program for Genomic Application HL66611.