Establishment of a rabbit model of congestive heart failure / 南方医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the feasibility of establishing a rabbit model of congestive heart failure model by abdominal aortic coarctation combined with intravenous epinephrine infusion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty rabbits were randomized into the study group (n=10) and control group (n=10). Congestive heart failure was induced in the study group by abdominal aortic coarctation combined with intravenous epinephrine infusion. The diameter of the abdominal aorta was reduced by 50%-60%, and epinephrine was infused at 2 weeks (5 mg.kg(-1).min(-1) for 60 min), 4 weeks (4 mg.kg(-1).min(-1) for 60 min) and 6 weeks (4 mg.kg(-1).min(-1) for 60 min) after the operation. The changes in the systolic and diastolic functions of the rabbits were assessed by echocardiography and catheterization during the progression of left hypertrophy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The diameter of the abdominal aorta at the coarctation region was 4.87-/+0.53 mm before the operation, reduced to 2.26-/+0.47 mm after the operation. At 8 weeks after the operation, the hearts of the rabbits in the study group showed obvious abnormalities in echocardiography, while the hearts in the control group remained normal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Abdominal aortic coarctation combined with intravenous epinephrine infusion allows rapid establishment of a reliable rabbit model of chronic congestive heart failure.</p>