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Updated: Dec 19, 2025
Establishing a Swine Model of Post-myocardial Infarction Heart Failure for Stem Cell Treatment
Published on: May 25, 2020
Establishing a Swine Model of Post-myocardial Infarction Heart Failure for Stem Cell Treatment
Sijia Sun1, Yu Jiang1, Zhe Zhen2
1Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong.
Insights
This study establishes a reliable pig model for heart failure (HF) after myocardial infarction (MI). This large animal model is crucial for testing stem cell therapies before human clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Regenerative Medicine
- Preclinical Models
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) post-myocardial infarction (MI) is a significant global health concern.
- Cell-based therapies show promise for cardiac repair but require rigorous preclinical evaluation.
- Large animal models are essential for translating findings to human cardiovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a porcine model of chronic heart failure (HF) following myocardial infarction (MI).
- To establish a robust preclinical platform for evaluating stem cell transplantation efficacy in HF.
- To assess key parameters of cardiac function and cell survival post-treatment.
Main Methods:
- Created a chronic HF model in pigs via closed-chest coronary balloon occlusion of the left circumflex artery (LCX).
- Induced rapid ventricular pacing using pacemaker implantation to exacerbate cardiac dysfunction.
- Administered stem cells via intramyocardial injection in the peri-infarct zone eight weeks post-MI induction.
- Evaluated infarct size, cell survival, and left ventricular function using echocardiography, hemodynamics, and electrophysiology.
Main Results:
- Successfully established a stable porcine model of chronic heart failure post-MI.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of stem cell administration in the preclinical model.
- Provided a comprehensive evaluation framework for assessing therapeutic interventions in HF.
Conclusions:
- The developed porcine model serves as a valuable preclinical tool for heart failure research.
- This model facilitates the rigorous testing of stem cell therapies for cardiac repair.
- The protocol supports the advancement of regenerative medicine strategies for post-MI heart failure.
Abstract:
Although advances have been achieved in the treatment of heart failure (HF) following myocardial infarction (MI), HF following MI remains one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity around the world. Cell-based therapies for cardiac repair and improvement of left ventricular function after MI have attracted considerable attention. Accordingly, the safety and efficacy of these cell transplantations should be tested in a preclinical large animal model of HF prior to clinical use. Pigs are widely used for cardiovascular disease research due to their similarity to humans in terms of heart size and coronary anatomy. Therefore, we sought to present an effective protocol for the establishment of a porcine chronic HF model using closed-chest coronary balloon occlusion of the left circumflex artery (LCX), followed by rapid ventricular pacing induced with pacemaker implantation. Eight weeks later, the stem cells were administered by intramyocardial injection in the peri-infarct area. Then the infarct size, cell survival, and left ventricular function (including echocardiography, hemodynamic parameters, and electrophysiology) were evaluated. This study helps establish a stable preclinical large animal HF model for stem cell treatment.
