PV Loop

Overview

PV Loop 2.5: For left and right ventricle studies.

LabChart’s latest version of the PV Loop Analysis Module includes new features designed to give you precise and accurate measurements of right and left ventricular contractility in rats, mice and other animals. In version 2.5, we have added two new algorithms for detecting end-systole in both right and left ventricular PV loops, and in situations where your PV loop may take on a more 'triangular' shape.

Ventricular pressure-volume (PV) loops are the gold standard method for measuring direct, real-time complete cardiac function, particularly myocardial contractility measurements. PV loops can be generated by plotting real-time ventricular pressure against ventricular volume during a complete cardiac cycle.

The PV Loop Analysis Module provides instant cardiovascular function feedback based on morphology, position and timing of the loop, supporting a range of cardiovascular research areas such as:

Systolic and diastolic dysfunction
Valvular heart disease
Cardiomyopathy
Pulmonary hypertension
Cardiac failure
Cardiovascular remodelling and vascular occlusions
Transgenic manipulation
Ischemia / Reperfusion studies
Cardiac resynchronization therapy

In combination with Millar’s extensive range of PV catheters - you have a highly sensitive, and minimally invasive way to measure and analyze changes in ventricular pressure-volume in small and large animals.

The PV Loop Analysis Software offers smart presets for different animals and streamlined workflows guiding you step-by-step from calibration through to analysis.

What's new in PV Loop 2.5?

Added a new single-beat detection method ‘Sinusoidal pressure fit’.
Added single-beat ESPVR (end-systolic pressure-volume relationship) into the hemodynamics table.
Added single-beat Piso (max pressure of an isovolumic beat) into the hemodynamics table.
Added a new ‘Loop tangent fit’ method for calculating ESPVR and the End Systolic points from multiple beats during occlusions.

Note: the Sinusoidal pressure fit’ and ‘Loop tangent fit’ methods are especially useful for right ventricle measurements and other situations where the PV loop has a ‘triangular’ shape.

How to download PV Loop 2.5

The PV Loop Module is included as part of LabChart Pro or can be purchased separately. You can download the PV Loop Module using LabChart's Feature Manager, or on our website: PV Loop 2.5 for Windows.

System Requirements

PV Loop 2.5 is only compatible with LabChart v8.1.13 or later.

Related Resources

Surgical Instruction Video Series: Pressure Volume (PV) and Invasive Pressure - Step by step instructions for performing catheterization surgery on rodent models. Ideal for refining your technique or learning from scratch.

Importance of PV Catheter Calibration in Admittance and Conductance Systems - This article explores common shortcuts in volume calibration, and demonstrates how failing to perform the recommended calibration procedures can produce inaccurate results in both admittance and conductance PV systems.

Right Ventricle Catheterization Protocol - Improved method for the catheterization of the right ventricle in a rat model of pulmonary artery hypertension

Nature Protocol - Measurement of cardiac function using pressure volume conductance catheter technique in mice and rats

Best Practice Tips - Millar pressure and pressure volume catheters

Get the most out of your data by combining the PV-loop Analysis Module with some additional LabChart Modules such as:

ECG Analysis - automatically detects and reports PQRST onset, amplitude and intervals in real time, or after recording.

HRV - the R-wave threshold detector identifies and calculates ECG beat-to-beat interval variation to automatically categorize beats as normal, ectopic, or artifact (can also be used with arterial pulse signal).

Peak Analysis - provides automatic detection and analysis of multiple, non-overlapping signal peaks.

Blood Pressure - blood pressure graphing, monitoring & tracking software - automatically reporting cardiovascular parameters from arterial or ventricular pressure signals.

Cardiac Output - calculate the cardiac output of small animals, such as rats and mice, using the thermodilution technique.

Features

Loop View

Choose which PV loops to analyze
Contractility index using ESPVR slope (linear or quadratic)
Compliance index using EDPVR slope (linear or exponential)

Industry Standard Parameters

Stroke Work, Cardiac Output, Ejection Fraction, Tau Isovolumic Relaxation Constant, and many more
Available from the Haemodynamics Table, with support for exporting to LabChart DataPad, or csv/text files for analysis

Analysis Plots

Preload-recruitable stroke work (PRSW)
Preload-recruitable maximum pressure change (dP/dt Max vs. EDV)
Preload-recruitable maximum pressure change (dP/dt Max vs. EDV)
Preload-recruitable total mechanical work (PVA vs. EDV)
Afterload-dependent total mechanical work (PVA vs. ESP)

Streamlined Workflow

PV Loop guides your journey from pressure, conductance and volume calibration through to data analysis with supporting workflows for large animals, small animals, or echocardiogram users.

Intelligent Presets

Preset calibrations for small and large mammals enable you to follow best practices for recording and analyzing PV data using Millar catheters. The Workflow modes are optimized for use with the MPVS Ultra Foundation Systems.

Powerful Volume Calibration

PV Loop also supports the analysis of multiple averaged cuvette well readings for accurate conductance to volume calibration.

Parallel Conductance Averaging

Correcting for parallel conductance from multiple saline bolus infusions doesn't need to be difficult. You can now generate a Ves Ved regression curve using averaged data to give you a reliable estimate.

Advanced Calibration

Alpha calibration is supported for researchers validating ventricular derived cardiac output with an independent measure, e.g., using a Transonic flow probe.