Left ventricular hypertrophy in a canine model of reversible pressure overload

The goal of therapy for left ventricular pressure overload should include regression of the associated left ventricular hypertrophy, but this process is incompletely understood. The aim of the study was to characterise the extent and time course of the progression and regression of pressure overload left ventricular hypertrophy in a canine hypertrophy model.

Six puppies were studied longitudinally with haemodynamic and echocardiographic measurements for 10 months. The study animals underwent ascending aortic banding at nine weeks of age which produced an initial gradient of 30 mm Hg. Subsequent growth led to an increase in gradient and the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. Then thoracotomy was again performed to remove the band. One month later, balloon aortoplasty was performed to remove the residual gradient. The animals were then observed for six months.

Growth increased the gradient to 105(SEM 10) mm Hg three months after banding. The left ventricular weight to body weight ratio (g.kg-1), an index of hypertrophy, was 7.2(0.5) after three months of pressure overload. Subsequently the band was surgically removed, reducing the gradient to an average of 58(10) mm Hg. Balloon dilatation of the residual aortic stricture reduced the gradient further to 6(5) mm Hg. Over the ensuing six months, echocardiographic determination of left ventricular mass showed the regression in left ventricular hypertrophy. After six months, left ventricular weight to body weight ratio in the previously banded animals was significantly reduced from 7.2(0.5) to 5.3(0.2) (p less than 0.05).

The model produced over 100% left ventricular hypertrophy, most of which regressed following removal of the pressure overload.