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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
A Surgical Model of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Tibetan Minipigs
Published on: February 18, 2022
Surgical animal models of heart failure related to coronary heart disease
Rainer Klocke1, Wen Tian, Michael T Kuhlmann
1Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
Insights
Developing effective animal models for coronary heart disease (CHD)-related heart failure is crucial for understanding its pathogenesis and creating new therapies. Surgical models mimicking coronary artery narrowing are essential for this research.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Translational Medicine
- Animal Models
Background:
- Coronary heart disease (CHD), caused by atherosclerotic narrowing of coronary arteries, is a primary driver of heart failure.
- Heart failure incidence and economic burden are rising, necessitating improved preventive and therapeutic strategies.
- Understanding CHD pathogenesis requires robust animal models that accurately reflect human disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the necessity and types of animal models for studying coronary heart disease-related heart failure.
- To highlight the importance of surgical models in mimicking coronary artery pathologies.
- To emphasize the impact of animal characteristics on model relevance.
Main Methods:
- Surgical induction of coronary artery narrowing or occlusion in animal models.
- Classification of models based on duration and extent of coronary blood flow impairment (myocardial infarction, ischemia/reperfusion, chronic ischemia).
- Consideration of species, strain, and gender in animal model selection and study design.
Main Results:
- Surgical models provide essential tools for investigating CHD-related heart failure.
- Different model types (myocardial infarction, ischemia/reperfusion, chronic ischemia) allow for studying various aspects of the disease.
- Animal factors significantly influence the induced pathophysiology, requiring careful selection.
Conclusions:
- Appropriate animal models are indispensable for advancing the understanding and treatment of coronary heart disease-related heart failure.
- Surgical models mimicking coronary artery disease are vital for preclinical research.
- Careful consideration of animal model characteristics is critical for successful translational research.
Abstract:
Coronary heart disease is caused by atherosclerotic narrowing of coronary arteries. It accounts for about two-thirds of heart failure cases, which are frequently secondary to myocardial infarction. Despite considerable progress in the understanding and management of heart failure, its incidence, prevalence and economic burden are steadily increasing. Therefore, efficient preventive and therapeutic measures are urgently needed. In order to investigate the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease-related heart failure and to develop therapies, appropriate animal models are indispensable. According to the aetiology of this disorder, surgical models are based on various methods allowing for the narrowing or occlusion of coronary arteries. Depending on the duration and extent of the impairment of coronary blood flow and its consequences for cardiac tissue, these are classified as models of myocardial infarction, cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury, or chronic cardiac ischemia. In addition, factors such as species, strain, and gender of the laboratory animals also significantly contribute to the pathophysiology of the induced disorder and, therefore, have to be taken into consideration thoroughly when an animal model is to be established.
