title: Development of an ovine model of myocardial infarction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report experimental myocardial infarction by occluding coronary arteries in ovine models.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve ewes were included in the study. After the chest was opened by left lateral thoracotomy incision, the second diagonal branch of the left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated at a point approximately 40% distant from its base. Prophylactic anti-arrhythmics were given. Animals were mechanically ventilated during surgery and stayed in intensive care unit for 24 h postoperation. Experiments were then evaluated by echocardiographic, electrocardiographic, haemodynamic, serological and morphological investigations. Echocardiographic measurements were repeated after 2 months and animals were then killed for post-mortem cardiac examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All animals survived the surgical procedure. Cyanotic discoloration and hypokinesia in the cardiac tissue in an area of (30 +/- 2) x (4 +/- 2) mm plus ST-segment elevations was detected immediately after vessel ligation. Moreover, there were pathological Q-waves 2 months later. Echocardiographic evaluations showed an average of 30% relative decrease in cardiac ejection fraction. Wall motion analysis showed anteroseptal hypokinesia and akinesia in all animals 1 day and 2 months after operation, respectively. Thin-walled infarcted areas with tissue fibrosis were evident in pathological investigations 2 months after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, we developed a practical and safe method for producing myocardial infarction in large animal models.
authors.affiliation: Research Department, Tehran Heart Center, Medical Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. shrabbani@gmail.com
authors.forename: Shahram
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rabbani
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
authors.forename: Ehsan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fayazzadeh
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sahebjam
authors.forename: Mohammad A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Boroumand
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sotudeh
authors.forename: Seyed Mahdi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nassiri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000601:surgery; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D008026:Ligation; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012756:Sheep; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology