The arterial blood sampling associated with PET imaging studies can lead to post-scan complications in Göttingen minipigs

Abstract

When disease progression or treatment effects are investigated, pigs are frequently used for imaging studies. We recently showed that prolonged anesthesia with intensive blood sampling and road transportation affect internal organs in non-recovery imaging studies in domestic pigs. In the present study, we examined if repeated non-invasive scans per se affect internal organs and post-scan observations. Göttingen minipigs are frequently used for longitudinal imaging studies due to their low adult body weight. Computed tomography scans did not detect significant organ damage in minipigs (N=4) placed in sternal recumbence for a few hours. Upon reviewing medical records of minipigs positioned in sternal recumbence during PET scans (N=40), two cases (5 %) of minor post-scan complications were found during the first two weeks post scanning. Minipigs in dorsal recumbence with the surgical placement of femoral catheters for blood sampling (N=14) were more frequently (7 cases, 50 %) associated with minor-to-moderate post-scan complications. Regardless of whether minipigs were placed in sternal or dorsal recumbency, a non-significant decrease in body weight was observed. The results indicate that the anesthetized Göttingen minipigs are slightly affected by the simple short-term scanning procedures and that the blood sampling procedures should be reduced when possible. Post-operative care should be improved due to the higher incidence of post-scanning complications in minipigs that were femoral artery catheterized.