ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To determine the efficacy of combined use of transmyocardial stent with gene therapy to treat acute myocardial infarction in porcine model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>24 Chinese mini swines have been divided into 4 groups randomly: group myocardial infarction (group MI n(1) = 6), group transmyocardial stent (group ST n(2) = 6), group vascular endothelial growth factor (group VEGF n(3) = 6), group transmyocardial stent and VEGF (group ST + VEGF n(4) = 6). In group MI, acute myocardial infarction animal model has been established by the ligation of the left descending coronary artery. In group ST, after the establishment of the model, 3 transmyocardial stents were implanted. In group VEGF, an expression plasmid containing the gene-encoding VEGF(165) (300 microg) was administered directly in the myocardium at 6 sites. In group ST + VEGF, both transmyocardial stents and expression plasmid containing the gene-encoding VEGF(165) are applied. 4 weeks later, the animals are sacrificed and echocardiography and pathological analysis have been done.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The density of blood vessel in group ST, VEGF and ST + VEGF are significantly higher than group MI. And capillary density in group ST + VEGF is the highest in these groups statistically. Expression of VEGF was detected in group ST, VEGF and ST + VEGF, but in group VEGF and ST + VEGF the level of expression are higher.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined use of transmyocardial stent with gene therapy has synthetic effect for the treatment of acute myocardial ischemia in porcine model and can significantly increase the vascular density.</p>