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Updated: May 11, 2026
Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine
Published on: February 17, 2018
A pilot study for inducing chronic heart failure in calves by means of oral monensin
Roula Zahr1, Diyar Saeed, Hideyuki Fumoto
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA;
Introduction:
Heart failure remains a major cause of mortality in the United States, despite advancing technologies, newer methods of treatment, and novel devices. To evaluate such novel devices, a large-animal model of chronic heart failure is critical in carrying out preclinical animal studies.
Methods:
We evaluated the efficacy of oral monensin in inducing stable heart failure in five Jersey calves. Various doses of monensin were administered. Hemodynamics, pressure-volume loops, echocardiographic measurements, extent of tissue perfusion, and histopathologic data were recorded before and after induction of heart failure.
Results:
Responses were variable in the animals. One experiment showed a significant decrease in cardiac output within one week, associated with simultaneous increases in left atrial pressure, central venous pressure, and mean pulmonary artery pressure. Left ventricular pressure-volume loops showed that the slope of the end-systolic pressure-volume relation decreased markedly between the baseline and terminal study, suggesting a decrease in contractility. Echocardiographic studies indicated a decrease in ejection fraction. Histopathologic analysis in cardiac tissue showed extensive fibrosis and necrosis.
Conclusion:
We demonstrated the feasibility of inducing and maintaining severe yet stable heart failure for up to 3 weeks in a calf model by administration of oral monensin.
