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Updated: Mar 26, 2026
Post-Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure in Closed-chest Coronary Occlusion/Reperfusion Model in Göttingen Minipigs and Landrace Pigs
Published on: April 17, 2021
Feasible induction of coronary artery vasospasm occurred during cardiac catheterization in a microminipig
Suchitra Matsukura1, Yuji Nakamura, Hiroshi Ohara
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University, 5-21-16 Omori-nishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan.
Abstract:
A 14 month-old intact microminipig, weighing 8 kg, showed ST-segment elevation in A-B lead electrocardiogram during cardiac catheterization followed by ventricular tachycardia, which degenerated into ventricular fibrillation. Although a direct current defibrillation of 360 J was applied, ventricular tachycardia re-occurred for another 2 times and the direct defibrillation was repeated. After returning to normal sinus rhythm, a marked ST-segment elevation was still observed on leads II, III and aVF together with a remarkable decrease in contractility of inferior wall. The heart was excised for precise macroscopic and histological examinations, but there was no dissection, embolus or thrombus in the coronary arteries. These findings suggest that right coronary artery vasospasm could have caused the ischemic attack, leading to lethal arrhythmias.
Insights
Right coronary artery vasospasm in a microminipig caused lethal arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation. Despite defibrillation, ST-segment elevation and reduced contractility persisted, indicating severe myocardial ischemia.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Animal Models in Research
Background:
- Microminipigs serve as valuable models for cardiovascular research due to physiological similarities with humans.
- Understanding the causes of sudden cardiac death in animal models is crucial for translational medicine.
Observation:
- A 14-month-old microminipig experienced ST-segment elevation, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation during cardiac catheterization.
- Recurrent ventricular arrhythmias necessitated repeated direct current defibrillation.
- Persistent ST-segment elevation and inferior wall hypokinesis were noted post-resuscitation.
Findings:
- Macroscopic and histological examination revealed no coronary artery dissection, embolus, or thrombus.
- The clinical presentation strongly suggests acute myocardial ischemia.
- Right coronary artery vasospasm is proposed as the etiological factor for the ischemic event and subsequent lethal arrhythmias.
Implications:
- This case highlights coronary artery vasospasm as a potential cause of life-threatening arrhythmias in microminipigs.
- Findings underscore the importance of considering vasospasm in the differential diagnosis of cardiac events during invasive procedures in animal models.
- Further research into vasospasm mechanisms in this model could inform human cardiovascular disease understanding.
