High-frequency, vector-flow imaging in the left ventricle of FHF2 deficient murine heart

The left ventricle (LV) of fibroblast growth factor homologous factor 2 (FHF2)-deficient (Fhf2
^KO/Y
) and wild-type Fhf2
^WT/Y
mice were imaged with high-speed, plane-wave methods using an 18-MHz linear array. Fhf2
^KO/Y
present with hyperthermia-induced ECG abnormalities highly reminiscent of Brugada syndrome. Data were acquired at three transmission angles [-5, 0 5 degrees] at a rate of 30 kHz for a 1 sec duration while the core temperature of the mice were raised to 41.5° C. The data were processed to obtain vector-flow estimates, vorticity and pericardium motion at the far wall of the LV. The hemodynamics and pericardial-motion of the Fhf2
_WT/Y
and Fhf2
^KO/Y
mice were compared as a function of temperature. Above 40° C the Fhf2
^KO/Y
mouse displayed disrupted flow patterns and greater beat-to-beat variation relative to the Fhf2
^WT/Y
mouse.