Pressure Myography

Abstract

Vasomotor function (constriction, dilation) can be assessed ex vivo using the pressure myograph technique, also referred to as perfusion myography in older literature. The technique involves isolating an artery (or any other blood vessel/lymphatic vessel) from an animal research model or from surgery-resected human tissue. The vessel preparation is mounted between two tiny glass pipettes through which a physiological saline solution (usually Krebs') is perfused while superfusing the preparation with the same solution. The inner and outer diameter of the vessel can be measured in real time, giving valuable information about the vessel reactivity in response to various vasoconstrictor or vasodilator stimuli in different research models or treatments. In addition, by measuring the passive (100% relaxed) inner and outer diameters of the vessel, important structural information is obtained, which is used to assess the degree of structural remodeling in a disease model or treatment. This technique is not a high-throughput technique and requires highly dedicated and trained personnel to carry out experiments. The reward, however, is highly physiologically relevant data, which can be used to assess the vascular function/dysfunction in almost any vascularized tissue of any human disease model.

Keywords: Arteriole; Blood flow; Blood pressure; Flow-mediated vasodilation; Myogenic tone; Perfusion myograph; Pressure myograph; Resistance artery; Vascular structural remodeling; Vascular tone.