A porcine model for acute ischaemic right ventricular dysfunction

Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2014 Jan;18(1):43-8. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivt418. Epub 2013 Oct 2.

Abstract

Objectives: To establish an experimental model for acute ischaemic isolated right ventricular dysfunction and the subsequent haemodynamic changes.

Methods: An open-chest porcine model with ischaemic dysfunction of the right ventricle induced by ligation of the three main branches supporting the right ventricular free wall. Invasive monitoring of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), left atrial pressure (LAP) and right ventricular pressure (RVP); ultrasonic measurement of cardiac output (CO) and calculation of haemodynamic parameters such as stroke volume (SV), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and right ventricular stroke work (RVSW) using standard formulae.

Results: The ischaemic challenge to the right ventricle resulted in a significant (≥30%) reduction in RVSW associated with an increase (6-25%) in CVP and reduction (8-18%) in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) despite unchanged PVR, all reflecting the failing right ventricle. There was also a significant drop in CO (14-22%) despite unchanged LAP indicating lessened transpulmonary delivery of left ventricular preload due to the failing right ventricle causing the haemodynamic compromise rather than left ventricular failure. Supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias occurred in three and two out of seven pigs, respectively-all of which except one were successfully resuscitated with cardioversion and/or defibrillation.

Conclusions: This novel open-chest porcine model of induced ischaemia of the right ventricular free wall resulted in significant haemodynamic compromise confirmed using standard haemodynamic measurements making it useful for further research on acute, ischaemic isolated right ventricular failure.

Keywords: Animal experiment; Cardiac output; Ischaemic right ventricular failure; Open-chest model; Right ventricular stroke work.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Animals
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology
  • Arterial Pressure
  • Atrial Function, Left
  • Atrial Pressure
  • Cardiac Output
  • Central Venous Pressure
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Heart Failure / etiology
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Myocardial Ischemia / complications*
  • Myocardial Ischemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Myocardial Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Sus scrofa
  • Time Factors
  • Ultrasonography
  • Vascular Resistance
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / diagnostic imaging
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / etiology*
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / physiopathology
  • Ventricular Function, Right*
  • Ventricular Pressure