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Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Improvement of a Closed Chest Porcine Myocardial Infarction Model by Standardization of Tissue and Blood Sampling Procedures
Published on: March 12, 2018
Inhaled nitric oxide in combination with volume resuscitation refines a porcine model of endotoxic shock
N A Herity1, J D Allen, B Silke
1Regional Medical Cardiology Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland. nherity@cahgt.n-i.nhs.uk
Background:
Existing porcine models of endotoxic shock poorly represent the human situation.
Aims:
To assess whether the cardiovascular profile of a porcine model could be improved by refining the protocol.
Methods:
In 30 pigs, right and left heart pressures and cardiac output were measured. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered as a bolus (n=12), as a 30 minute infusion (n=6) or as a 30 minute infusion along with inhaled NO and volume resuscitation (n=6) and six sham-treated pigs received normal saline. Haemodynamic values were measured over three hours.
Results:
LPS increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (13.3 +/- 1.4 to 37.0 +/- 3.9kPa/l per sec, p<0.05) and reduced cardiac output (6.0 +/- 0.6 to 4.8 +/- 0.41/min). Mortality was 50% within 30 minutes. Inhaled NO and volume resuscitation controlled pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and preserved CO. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) declined in the first hour (118.4 +/- 11.8 to 65.8 +/- 8.2kPa/l per sec, p<0.05) and remained low.
Conclusions:
Porcine models of endotoxaemia based on LPS administration are a poor model of human septic shock, but can be improved by regulating PVR and supporting CO which may contribute to future studies of septic shock

