Using EFIC imaging, we constructed a developmental atlas of the mouse cardiovascular system using EFIC image stacks of mouse embryos from E9.5 to term. Embryos are embedded for sectioning along the sagittal (long axis) plane and are later virtually resectioned to provide both an apical (frontal) and a transverse (short axis) views of the heart. The sagittal plane allows visualization of the left inflow, aortic and pulmonary outflows, main pulmonary artery, patent ductus arteriosus, and descending aorta, while the transverse plane provides an optimal view of the pulmonary and aortic valves, and the branch pulmonary arteries. The apical plane yields the standard four-chamber view, and allows for the assessment of atrial and ventricular septation. These three standard views aid in making clinical diagnosis of congenital cardiovascular anomalies.

Our aim in generating this interactive 3D mouse cardiovascular developmental atlas is to provide a better understanding of anatomical changes in the developing heart as a function of time and space. It also serves as an invaluable tool for the diagnosis of congenital heart defects in mutant mouse models. We provide some examples of EFIC 3D reconstructions showing a variety of congenital cardiovascular anomalies seen in several knockout and ENU induced mouse mutants.