AJP - Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Vol 246, Issue 2 296-H301, Copyright © 1984 by American Physiological Society
A new technique for producing pure aortic stenosis in animals
Q. Su-Fan, J. M. Brum, M. P. Kaye and A. A. Bove
To date, techniques used to produce an animal model of valvular aortic
stenosis have been unsuccessful. We have developed a new technique for
producing pure subcoronary aortic valvular stenosis, which results in left
ventricular hypertrophy in a short time. Five adult mongrel dogs weighing
18-24 kg were anesthetized with Brevital (0.5 mg/kg), intubated, and
mechanically ventilated with halothane-oxygen. The chest was opened through
the right 4th intercostal space, and cardiopulmonary bypass was established
between the right atrium and femoral artery. When the esophageal
temperature was reduced to about 25 degrees C, the aorta was cross clamped
and incised. A piece of Teflon felt covered by pericardium was sutured into
each of the sinuses of Valsalva below the coronary orifices. Two to four
weeks after the operation, the animals were catheterized. The average
pressure gradient between left ventricle (LV) and aorta was 52 +/- 15 mmHg.
Mean LV mass-to-body weight ratio was 6.16 +/- 0.28 g/kg vs. 4.24 +/- 0.27
for controls. End-diastolic volume and ejection fraction remained normal,
and no aortic regurgitation was seen on aortic root angiography. This
preparation creates a hemodynamic representation of valvular aortic
stenosis and produces a useful model for examining the myocardial response
to this disease. Although hypertrophy develops rapidly, slowly developing
hypertrophy may also be possible with this technique.
