A novel hybrid method for creating a porcine model of cyanotic congenital heart defect with decreased pulmonary blood flow.
OBJECTIVE
To create an experimental model of cyanotic congenital heart defect with decreased pulmonary blood flow using a novel hybrid method.


METHODS
A model of congenital heart defect with decreased pulmonary blood flow and chronic cyanosis was produced surgically in eight piglets (mean, 2 mo old). An artificial atrial septal defect was created followed by pulmonary artery banding to generate a systolic pressure gradient at 2 mo of > or = 50 mm Hg (cyanotic group). Another eight piglets underwent a sham operation (control group).


RESULTS
There were six long-term survivors in the cyanotic group. At a mean duration of 2 mo following the hybrid procedure, the resting gradient across the pulmonary artery band was 53.7 mm Hg. The Qp/Qs reached 0.54:1. The arterial oxygen tension, arterial oxygen saturation, hematocrit, and hemoglobin concentration were 52.9 mm Hg, 85.6%, 49.8%, and 16.6 g/dL in the cyanotic group versus 118.0 mm Hg, 98.0%, 37.9%, and 12.2 g/dL in the control group, respectively (all P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
A porcine model of cyanotic congenital heart defect with decreased pulmonary blood flow was established by a hybrid method. Application of this experimental design may enhance our understanding and possibly influence the treatment of patients who have cyanotic heart disease with decreased pulmonary blood flow.
Pediatric Cardiac Center, Cardiovascular Institute and Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union, Medical College, Xicheng District, Beijing, China.
Yaoqiang
Y
Xu
Yinglong
Y
Liu
Xiaodong
X
Lv
Cuntao
C
Yu
Xiaofeng
X
Li
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003490:Cyanosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004452:Echocardiography; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature