Source: Kumar, P et al., Microelectrode Array Recording of Sinoatrial Node Firing Rate to Identify Intrinsic Cardiac Pacemaking Defects in Mice. J. Vis. Exp. (2021)
This video demonstrates the procedure to isolate sinoatrial node or SAN from mouse heart. The SAN houses the sinoatrial cells that initiates heartbeat by generating spontaneous action potentials.
All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.
1. Dissecting the sinoatrial node (SAN)
Figure 1: Removal of the heart. (A) Transverse incision in the skin just beneath the bottom of the rib cage from about the left costal arch to the right costal arch. (B) Peritoneal incision. (C,D) Incision of the diaphragm along the thorax to expose the thoracic cavity. (E) Removal of the heart following excision of the lungs.
Figure 2: Dissection of the sinoatrial (SAN) node. (A) The appearance of the heart in the Petri dish following removal from the body. (B) Insertion of the syringe needle through the inferior vena cava (IVC) and superior vena cava (SVC) of the right atrium. The pin in the apex of the heart is also shown. (C) Excision of the apex (i.e., the bottom half) of the heart to release the blood. The pins in the atrial appendages are also shown. (D) The final appearance of the SAN region of the right atrium at the end of dissection. The boxed region corresponds to the approximate location of the SAN. The SAN artery can also be faintly seen coursing through the SAN in a vertical orientation. The Abbreviations: AO, aorta; CT, crista terminalis; IVC, inferior vena cava; LA, left atrium; RA, right atrium; RAA, right atrial appendage; SAN, sinoatrial node; SVC, superior vena cava.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
22 gauge syringe needle | Fisher Scientific | 14-826-5A | Used for dissection |
23 gauge syringe needle | Fisher Scientific | 14-826-6C | Used for dissection |
60mm Petri Dishes | Genesee Scientific | 32-105G | |
Castroviejo Scissors, 4" | Fine Science Tools | 15024-10 | |
Dissection Microscope | Jenco | ||
Dissecting Pins | Fine Science Tools | 26002-20 | |
Dumont #2 Laminectomy Forceps | Fine Science Tools | 11223-20 | |
Dumont #55 Forceps | Fine Science Tools | 11295-51 | |
Extra Fine Graefe Forceps | Fine Science Tools | 11152-10 | |
Hemostat | Fine Science Tools | 13013-14 | |
Heparin | Aurobindo Pharma Limited IDA, Pashamylaram | NDC 63739-953-25 | |
Sylgruard Elastomer Kit | Dow Corning | 184 SIL ELAST KIT 0.5KG | |
Surgical Scissors | Fine Science Tools | 14074-09 | |
Transfer Pipets (3mL graduated) | Samco Scientific | 225 | |
Isoflurane | Patterson Veterinary | 07-893-1389 |