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.
Xu
Yaoqiang
Y
Pediatric Cardiac Center, Cardiovascular Institute and Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union, Medical College, Xicheng District, Beijing, China.
Liu
Yinglong
Y
Lv
Xiaodong
X
Yu
Cuntao
C
Li
Xiaofeng
X
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