A pig model of chronic heart failure by intracoronary embolization with gelatin sponge

Background We produced a large-animal model of left ventricular (LV) failure induced by transcatheter embolization of the left coronary artery using a gelatin sponge. Methods Fourteen male pigs underwent transcatheter embolization of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) using gelatin sponge to produce anteroapical myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography was performed 1 week after the coronary embolization. The animals were followed up with echocardiography and LV pressure-volume study for the subsequent 8 weeks, and the data were compared with those of the control group (n = 13). Results The procedure mortality was 2 of 14 (14%). Coronary angiography revealed the occluded LAD was recanalized with poor run-off. The LV end-diastolic dimension progressively increased (control versus myocardial infarction: 39 ± 2 mm versus 49 ± 4 mm, p< 0.001 at week 4; and 40 ± 2 mm versus 57 ± 6 mm, p< 0.001 at week 8). Fractional area change decreased over 8 weeks (77% ± 10% versus 43% ± 6%, p< 0.001 at week 4; and 77% ± 10% versus 40% ± 8%, p< 0.001 at week 8). End-systolic elastance progressively decreased over 8 weeks (3.04 ± 0.73 mm Hg/mL versus 1.54 ± 0.51 mm Hg/mL, p< 0.0001 at week 4; and 2.88 ± 0.44 mm Hg/mL versus 1.05 ± 0.21 mm Hg/mL, p< 0.001 at week 8). The plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide were significantly higher in the study group (543 ± 131 pg/mL versus 1,321 ± 364 pg/mL, p< 0.001 at week 4; and 610 ± 152 pg/mL versus 1,523 ± 232 pg/mL, p< 0.001 at week 8). Conclusions This pig model of chronic heart failure is reliable, reproducible, and amenable to investigate other surgical procedures.