engleski

The diaphragmatic, transabdominal surgical approach to the rat’s heart is suitable for ligation of the left descending coronary artery

AIM: Experimental surgical procedures that are mostly used to gain access to coronary vessels are either quite invasive, thus increasing mortality rate, or they have very limited access to coronary vessels, especially to the left descending coronary artery (LDCA). LDCA is positioned deeper in the myocardium, just below the vein, and cannot be seen on the surface of the heart. Thus, the aim of our study was to develop an experimental model of myocardial infarction allowing very precise manipulation of the LDCA. METHODS: In this study we used Sprague-Dawley female rats (n=12) weighing 230- 260 g. Through midline incisions, first of the abdominal wall and then the diaphragm, the rat heart was visualized. We localized the LDCA by locating the corresponding vein on the surface of the heart between the left auricle and the pulmonary outflow tract. The coronary vessels were ligated (with an 8.0 nylon suture) about 3 mm from their origin. RESULTS: All of the animals underwent a transmural infarction, one animal died shortly after the operation while in three animals a left ventricular aneurysm developed 7 weeks after surgery. CONCLUSION: Advantages of our diaphragmectomy-based approach include: minimal trauma (hence minimal bleeding), maximal visibility of the entire flow of coronary vessels allowing precise location of coronary ligation area and quick recovery of the animals.

Coronary ligation; Myocardial infarction; Rat

Non-CC sažetak broj 6