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Updated: Dec 18, 2025
Myocardial Infarction and Functional Outcome Assessment in Pigs
Published on: April 25, 2014
Development of a Reproducible Swine Model of Chronic Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation: Lessons Learned
Chetan Pasrija1, Rachael W Quinn1, Hani Alkhatib2
1University of Maryland School of Medicine, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Baltimore, Maryland.
Background:
Durability of mitral valve repair for ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) remains poor. We established a swine model of chronic IMR, and describe the methods and lessons learned from this model.
Methods:
Thirty-five swine underwent percutaneous myocardial infarction with ethanol ablation of the circumflex or obtuse marginal (OM) arteries. Swine were followed with routine echocardiography for the development of severe IMR. Once severe IMR was established, swine underwent mitral valve operations on cardiopulmonary bypass. After operation, swine were survived up to 7 weeks. Angiographic and echocardiographic features of swine who developed severe IMR (IMR swine) and those who did not (non-IMR swine) were compared.
Results:
The median number of OM arteries was 3, with 2 OM arteries infarcted. Acute survival after the myocardial infarction was 74% (26 of 35) with 3 (9%) early, postoperative deaths. Among the 23 swine with follow-up to determine IMR status, 14 of 23 (61%) developed significant IMR. Among IMR pigs, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction decreased from 65% pre-myocardial infarction to 45% pre-mitral valve intervention (P < .001). Among non-IMR swine, LV ejection fraction decreased nonsignificantly from baseline (60%) to latest follow-up (55%) (P = .443). LV end-diastolic dimension (P = .039), wall motion score (P = .027), global circumferential strain (P = .014), and global longitudinal strain (P = .023) were significantly worse in IMR compared with non-IMR swine.
Conclusions:
A reproducible percutaneous model of severe IMR in swine is feasible with a guided anesthetic and perioperative approach. This model can serve as a platform to better understand the mechanism of IMR and subsequently to test novel repair techniques.
Insights
A new swine model allows for reproducible severe ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). This model is crucial for understanding IMR mechanisms and testing new mitral valve repair techniques.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Surgical Innovation
- Animal Models
Background:
- Mitral valve repair for ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) has shown poor durability.
- Developing reliable animal models is essential for advancing IMR research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and describe a swine model for chronic severe IMR.
- To provide insights into the development and characteristics of IMR in this model.
Main Methods:
- Percutaneous myocardial infarction was induced in 35 swine via ethanol ablation of coronary arteries.
- Echocardiography monitored for IMR development, followed by mitral valve surgery in severe cases.
- Swine were survived up to 7 weeks post-operation for analysis.
Main Results:
- 61% of swine developed significant IMR after myocardial infarction.
- IMR swine exhibited a significant decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (65% to 45%).
- Worse left ventricular dimensions and strain parameters were observed in IMR swine compared to non-IMR controls.
Conclusions:
- A reproducible percutaneous swine model for severe IMR is feasible.
- This model provides a platform for investigating IMR mechanisms.
- The model can be utilized to test novel mitral valve repair strategies.
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