Assessment of a New Experimental Model of Isolated Right Ventricular Failure

Abstract

We assessed a new experimental model of isolated right ventricular (RV) failure, achieved by means of intramyocardial injection of ethanol. RV dysfunction was induced in 13 mongrel dogs via multiple injections of 96% ethanol (total dose 1 mL/kg), all over the inlet and trabecular RV free walls. Hemodynamic and metabolic parameters were evaluated at baseline, after ethanol injection, and on the 14th postoperative day (POD). Echocardiographic parameters were evaluated at baseline, on the sixth POD, and on the 13th POD. The animals were then euthanized for histopathological analysis of the hearts. There was a 15.4% mortality rate. We noticed a decrease in pulmonary blood flow right after RV failure (P = 0.0018), as well as during reoperation on the 14th POD (P = 0.002). The induced RV dysfunction caused an increase in venous lactate levels immediately after ethanol injection and on the 14th POD (P < 0.0003). The echocardiogram revealed a decrease in the RV ejection fraction on the sixth and 13th PODs (P = 0.0001). There was an increased RV end-diastolic volume on the sixth (P = 0.0001) and 13th PODs (P = 0.0084). The right ventricle showed a 74% +/- 0.06% transmural infarction area, with necrotic lesions aged 14 days. Intramyocardial ethanol injection has allowed the creation of a reproducible and inexpensive model of RV failure. The hemodynamic, metabolic, and echocardiographic parameters assessed at different protocol times are compatible with severe RV failure. This model may be useful in understanding the pathophysiology of isolated right-sided heart failure, as well as in the assessment of ventricular assist devices.

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“…The dogs studied had been selected to undergo experimental thoracotomy (sham surgery group for creating a canine model of chronic right ventricular failure) 10…”

The Echocardiography in the Cardiovascular Laboratory: A Guide to Research with Animals

“…According to the authors' experience, the method is useful to follow-up myocardial hypertrophy and failure 31,32,12 . …”

The Role of Phospho‐Adenosine Monophosphate‐Activated Protein Kinase and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in a Model of Chronic Heart Failure

“…A large variety of animal models for acute heart failure exist (9); however, practicable models to study the pathophysiology of biomarkers in the CHF of large animals are scarce. Various approaches were examined by different groups in order to establish a reproducible large animal model in the past with variable success (9,10,27–33). Therefore, our group used a novel approach to establish a stable and reproducible animal model of CHF in sheep induced by multiple sequential CMEs (11,12,34).…”

“…variable success (9,10,(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33). Therefore, our group used a novel approach to establish a stable and reproducible animal model of CHF in sheep induced by multiple sequential CMEs (11,12,34).…”