ABSTRACT
Objective To construct a large animal model of ischemic heart disease induced by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) . Methods Male Diannan Mini-pigs were selected (n=8), weight 20 ± 4 Kg. After general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation, blood pressure and electrocardiograph were monitored. Parasternal incision was taken and thoracotomyv was performed at 4th-to-5th intercostalgap. Pericardium was opened and left anterior descending artery was ligated. Echocardiography was performed at baseline, postoperative 28 and 60 day. Euthanasia and heart explanted was conducted at 60 day of experimental pig. After gross examination of the heart, the histological examination was used to assess myocardial infarction by using H&E staining. Results All of the pigs were presented with ventricular arrhythmias in varying degrees after ligation of the left anterior descending artery, of whom 2 died of refractory ventricular fibrillation, the mortality was 25%. Echocardiography assessment showed the loss left ventricular function, the thinning of left ventricular apical and the enlargement of left ventricule. Histological examination revealed that myocardial fibrosis and fibrous scar were formed in myocardial infarction area. Conclusion The ligation of left anterior descending artery through thoracotomy under direct vision is a reliable strategy for construction of AMI porcine model and the experimental porcine can develop ischemic cardiac dysfunction progressively.