Laboratory Animals > Volume 42, Number 3 > Pp. 265-276

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Review articles

The use of mice and rats as animal models for cardiopulmonary resuscitation research

D Papadimitriou, T Xanthos , I Dontas, P Lelovas and D Perrea

Department of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, University of Athens Medical School, 15B Agiou Thoma Street, 11527 Athens, Greece

Correspondence: T Xanthos. Email: theodorosxanthos{at}yahoo.com

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after the induction of cardiac arrest (CA) has been studied in mice and rats. The anatomical and physiological parameters of the cardiopulmonary system of these two species have been defined during experimental studies and are comparable with those of humans. Moreover, these animal models are more ethical to establish and are easier to manipulate, when compared with larger experimental animals. Accordingly, the effects of successful CPR on the function of vital organs, such as the brain, have been investigated because damage to these vital organs is of concern in CA survivors. Furthermore, the efficacy of several drugs, such as adrenaline (epinephrine), vasopressin and nitroglycerin, has been evaluated for use in CA in these small animal models. The purpose of these studies is not only to increase the rate of survival of CA victims, but also to improve their quality of life by reducing damage to their vital organs after CA and during CPR.

Key Words: Mice • rats • animal model • cardiopulmonary resuscitation

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