A simple and fast experimental model of myocardial infarction in the mouse

In this report, we describe a simple and fast method for creating a murine myocardial infarction model and providing a useful and convenient tool for the research in ischemic heart disease. We established acute myocardial infarction in the Kunming-strain mouse within 2 minutes by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The model was evaluated by observing the changes in histology and in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase. Obvious myocardial necrosis was found in the 24-hr experimental (ligation) group. The average size of the infarction was 44.3% +/- 2.9% of the left ventricle. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase reached their peak in the 24-hr experimental group and were normal in the 72-hr experimental group. We set forth a simple and quick method for producing acute myocardial infarction experimentally in the mouse. The model can be reproduced in a stable manner, under experimental conditions that are easy to duplicate.