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Updated: Oct 9, 2025
A Modified Simple Method for Induction of Myocardial Infarction in Mice
Published on: December 3, 2021
A Modified Simple Method for Induction of Myocardial Infarction in Mice
Chenglin Jiang1, Jianqing Chen1, Yichao Zhao2
1Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College; Department of Cardiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Abstract:
Myocardial infarction (MI) represents one of the leading causes of death. MI models are widely used for investigating the pathomechanisms of post-MI remodeling and evaluation of novel therapeutics. Different methods (e.g., isoproterenol treatment, cryoinjury, coronary artery ligation, etc.) have been used to induce MI. Compared with isoproterenol treatment and cryoinjury, coronary artery ligation may better reflect the ischemic response and chronic remodeling after MI. However, traditional methods for coronary ligation in mice are technically challenging and require commercially available apparatus. The current study describes a simple and efficient process for induction of MI in mice with readily available materials. The mouse chest skin was cut open under stable anesthesia with a simplified anesthesia device made of centrifuge tubes. The heart was immediately externalized through the intercostal space after blunt separation of the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor. The left anterior descending branch (LAD) was ligated with a 6-0 suture 3 mm from its origin. Following LAD ligation, staining with 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) indicated successful induction of MI and temporal changes of post-MI scar size. Meanwhile, survival analysis results showed overt mortality within 7 days after MI, mainly due to cardiac rupture. Moreover, post-MI echocardiographic assessment demonstrated successful induction of contractile dysfunction and ventricular remodeling. Once mastered, an MI model can be established in mice within 2-3 min with readily available materials.
Insights
Researchers developed a simplified mouse model for myocardial infarction (MI) using coronary artery ligation. This efficient method allows rapid induction of cardiac injury and remodeling for therapeutic studies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Animal Models
- Surgical Techniques
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
- Accurate animal models are crucial for studying post-MI cardiac remodeling and testing new treatments.
- Existing methods for inducing MI in mice, like coronary artery ligation, can be technically demanding and require specialized equipment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a simplified, efficient, and cost-effective surgical procedure for inducing myocardial infarction in mice.
- To validate the efficacy of the induced MI model in reflecting ischemic injury, cardiac rupture, and subsequent remodeling.
- To establish a reproducible method for generating MI models using readily available materials.
Main Methods:
- A novel surgical technique involving a simplified anesthesia device and blunt dissection for heart exteriorization.
- Ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery using standard surgical sutures.
- Assessment of MI induction and scar progression using 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining.
- Evaluation of post-MI outcomes including mortality, cardiac rupture, contractile dysfunction, and ventricular remodeling via echocardiography.
Main Results:
- Successful induction of myocardial infarction in mice within 2-3 minutes of procedure mastery.
- TTC staining confirmed infarct size and temporal scar changes.
- Significant mortality within 7 days post-MI, primarily due to cardiac rupture.
- Echocardiographic analysis demonstrated impaired cardiac contractility and ventricular remodeling consistent with post-MI progression.
Conclusions:
- The described method provides a simple, rapid, and reproducible approach to establish a mouse model of myocardial infarction.
- This technique facilitates the investigation of MI pathomechanisms and the evaluation of therapeutic interventions.
- The model effectively mimics key aspects of human post-MI cardiac remodeling and complications.
