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

Publisher: American Physiological Society Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 100901228 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1522-1539 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03636135 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: Bethesda, Md. : American Physiological Society,

Myocardial Infarction*/pathology ; Coronary Occlusion*/complications ; Coronary Occlusion*/diagnostic imaging ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures*/adverse effects ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention*/adverse effects; Humans ; Male ; Rabbits ; Animals ; Swine ; Coronary Vessels/diagnostic imaging ; Coronary Vessels/surgery ; Coronary Vessels/pathology ; Heart ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/complications

Arrhythmic 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 that 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 (3.5-5.5 kg). Here, we describe a novel method of percutaneous MI induction in smaller rabbits (2.5-3.5 kg) that are readily available commercially. New Zealand White rabbits ( n = 51 males, 3.1 ± 0.3 kg) were anesthetized using isoflurane (1.5-3%) and underwent either a percutaneous MI procedure involving microcatheter tip deployment (≤1.5 Fr, 5 mm), coronary ligation surgery, or a sham procedure. Electrocardiography (ECG) recordings were used to confirm ST-segment elevation indicating coronary occlusion. Blood samples (1 and 24 h) were taken for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels. Ejection fraction (EF) was measured at 6-8 wk. Rabbits were then euthanized (Euthatal) and hearts were processed for magnetic resonance imaging and histology. Mortality rates were similar in both groups. Scar volume, cTnI, and EF were similar between both MI groups and significantly different from their respective sham controls. Thus, percutaneous coronary occlusion by microcatheter tip deployment is feasible in rabbits (2.5-3.5 kg) and produces an MI with similar characteristics to surgical ligation with lower procedural trauma and without epicardial adhesions. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Surgical coronary ligation is the standard technique to induce myocardial infarction (MI) in rabbits but is associated with procedural trauma and the generation of thoracic adhesions. Percutaneous coronary occlusion avoids these shortcomings and is established in pigs but has only been applicable to large rabbits because of a mismatch between the equipment used and target vessel size. Here, we describe a new scalable approach to percutaneous MI induction that is safe and effective in 2.5-3.5-kg rabbits.

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NC/T2T0119 United Kingdom NC3RS_ National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research; SP/15/9/31605 United Kingdom BHF_ British Heart Foundation; NC/C013202/1 United Kingdom NC3RS_ National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; closed-chest model; intracoronary occlusion; myocardial infarction; percutaneous surgery

Date Created: 20240105 Date Completed: 20240223 Latest Revision: 20240820

20240821

PMC11221806

10.1152/ajpheart.00657.2023

38180449