A novel method for the percutaneous induction of myocardial infarction by occlusion of small coronary arteries in the rabbit

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2024 Jan 5. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00657.2023. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTArrhythmic sudden cardiac death (SCD) is an important cause of mortality following myocardial infarction (MI). The rabbit has similar cardiac electrophysiology to humans and is therefore an important small animal model to study post-MI arrhythmias. The established approach of surgical coronary ligation results in thoracic adhesions which impede epicardial electrophysiological studies. Adhesions are absent following a percutaneously induced MI, which is also associated with reduced surgical morbidity and so represents a clear refinement of the approach. Percutaneous procedures have previously been described in large rabbits (3.5-5.5kg). Here we describe a novel method of percutaneous MI induction in the smaller rabbits (2.5-3.5kg) that are readily available commercially. New Zealand White rabbits (n=51 male, 3.1±0.3 kg) were anesthetized using isoflurane (1.5-3%) and underwent either a percutaneous MI procedure involving microcatheter tip deployment (≤1.5F, 5mm), coronary ligation surgery or a sham procedure. ECG recordings were used to confirm ST-segment elevation indicating coronary occlusion. Blood samples (1h and 24h) were taken for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels. Ejection fraction (EF) was measured at 6-8 weeks. Rabbits were then euthanized (Euthatal) and hearts processed for magnetic resonance imaging and histology. Mortality rates were similar in both groups...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology - Category: Physiology Authors: Source Type: research