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Animal model considerations to evaluate prosthetic tricuspid valve implants.
Olivier Chevènement1, Nicolas Borenstein1, Robert Kieval2
1IMMR, 42 Bvd. Jourdan, 75014 Paris, France.
Summary
Sheep and pigs are suitable animal models for prosthetic tricuspid valve evaluation. Dogs are not ideal due to significant anatomical differences and smaller size, making sheep and pigs better choices for preclinical studies.
Area of Science:
- Comparative anatomy
- Medical device evaluation
- Veterinary cardiology
Background:
- Preclinical evaluation of prosthetic tricuspid valve implants requires suitable animal models.
- Understanding comparative anatomy is crucial for selecting appropriate models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine comparative tricuspid valve anatomy across species.
- To identify appropriate animal models for preclinical evaluation of prosthetic tricuspid valve implants.
Main Methods:
- Described and measured 81 heart specimens: 12 humans, 22 dogs, 21 sheep, and 26 pigs.
- Assessed tricuspid annulus circumference, leaflet demarcation, papillary muscle positions, and moderator band presence.
Main Results:
- Tricuspid annulus circumference varied: humans (109–149 mm), pigs (85–140 mm), dogs/sheep (≤125 mm).
- Leaflet demarcation differed: dogs similar to humans, pigs/sheep had three distinct leaflets.
- Papillary muscle positions were similar in humans, sheep, and pigs; dogs' were septal-based. Moderator bands were present in all, with consistent thickness only in sheep.
Conclusions:
- Sheep and pigs are relevant models for prosthetic tricuspid valve evaluation.
- Pigs (70–90 kg) offer comparable annulus size to dilated human hearts for short-term studies.
- Sheep provide stable size for long-term studies, with annulus size similar to healthy human hearts. Dogs are unsuitable due to anatomical differences.
