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[The isolated rabbit heart: comparison between five different modifications].
Simone Schmitz-Spanke1, Esther Seyfried, Uwe Schwanke
1Forschungsgruppe Experimentelle Chirurgie, Zentrum Operative Medizin I, Universitätsklinikum, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Germany.
Herz
|February 8, 2003
Summary
The working heart preparation offers the best function and stability for most experiments, though blood perfusion is necessary for extended studies or coronary flow investigations. This model is ideal for various research needs.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Physiology
- Experimental Models
Background:
- The isolated heart has been a vital experimental model for over a century.
- Various perfusion techniques exist for studying isolated hearts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the functional stability of five different isolated heart preparations.
- To determine the most suitable model for specific experimental durations and objectives.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of five isolated heart preparations: modified Langendorff apparatus (LA) with Krebs-Henseleit (KH) solution (with/without BSA), LA with KH solution and erythrocytes, LA with rabbit support, and a "working heart" preparation.
- Assessment of hemodynamic and metabolic data after a 20-minute stabilization period.
- Evaluation of preparation stability over time.
Main Results:
- Krebs-Henseleit (KH) solution is adequate for short experimental protocols.
- Blood perfusion (using erythrocytes) is essential for long-lasting protocols or studies investigating coronary flow dynamics.
- The working heart model demonstrated superior function and stability.
Conclusions:
- The working heart preparation offers the best overall function and stability with relatively low experimental cost.
- While highly stable, the working heart model is not suitable for experiments requiring independent manipulation of perfusion and arterial pressures.