Introduction and objectives:

Animal models are a useful tool for the evaluation of disease mechanisms and also for technologies for diagnosis and treatment. In this study we performed a descriptive analysis of the functional and structural cardiac changes occurred as a result of acute coronary occlusion in pigs and its evolution during 5 weeks.

Methods:

19-Large White pigs, weighing 20 kg, randomized into 3-experimental series were used. After sternotomy, anterior descending coronary artery was occluded. Duration of occlusion: Series 1 (n = 6) 60 min; series 2 (n = 8) 90 min; series 3 (n = 5) 60 min followed for 5 weeks. The following parameters where then analyzed: global cardiac function (ECG, left ventricular and atrium pressures, aortic flow and cardiac echocardiography), regional contractility, troponin T and CK-MB levels, macroscopic and histological analyzes.

Results:

Coronary occlusion transiently altered the global cardiac function and produced increased cell damage markers, impaired regional contractility and produced histological changes. The increment of ischemic time (60 vs. 90 min) increased infarct size (13.4 ± 5.4% vs. 22.9 ± 7.8 S1 S2%; P=.04). After 5 weeks, morphological remodelling changes were evident. In 79% of cases ischemia triggered ventricular fibrillation.

Conclusion:

The porcine open chest model of acute myocardial infarction and reperfusion is valid for studying the pathophysiology of coronary ischemia, allows direct analysis of regional myocardial function and is easily retrievable in the event of serious arrhythmias.