A Refined Approach to Permanent Coronary Artery Ligation in Rats: Enhancing Outcomes and Reducing Animal Burden
Ellen Heeren1, Lotte Vastmans1, Dorien Deluyker1
1Cardio & Organ Systems (COST), Biomedical Research Institute, UHasselt-Hasselt University, Agoralaan, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|January 10, 2026
Summary
This study refines the rat permanent ligation (PL) model for myocardial infarction (MI) research. Optimized anesthesia and surgical techniques significantly reduce mortality and improve success rates for preclinical cardiovascular studies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Preclinical Models
- Animal Research
Background:
- Rodent models are crucial for myocardial infarction (MI) research.
- Current permanent ligation (PL) methods have high mortality and variable success.
- Need for improved reproducibility and reduced invasiveness in MI models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize the rat permanent ligation (PL) protocol for myocardial infarction (MI).
- To enhance survival rates and reproducibility in preclinical cardiovascular research.
- To improve compliance with the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) in animal studies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized isoflurane inhalation anesthesia with standardized intubation.
- Maintained strict control of body temperature during surgery.
- Refined surgical techniques including medial thoracotomy and precise LAD ligation.
Main Results:
- Achieved zero perioperative mortality in the optimized rat PL protocol.
- Reached a 94% success rate for left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation.
- Echocardiography and histology confirmed consistent and reproducible infarct induction.
Conclusions:
- The refined PL method significantly improves survival and reproducibility.
- This optimized protocol enhances the reliability of preclinical cardiovascular research.
- The improved method aligns with ethical guidelines and advances cardiac regeneration studies.
