Abstract:

Objective To establish rat model of chronic heart failure by partially banding abdominal aorta for different time limits and to compare the effects of different index on the evaluation of cardiac hypertrophy and heart function. Methods Eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: aortic banding group and sham-operated group(each containing 40 rats). Brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) concentration and cardiac hypertrophic changes were investigated in different groups. Results Cardiac myocardial diameter(CMD), type I collegen concentration and BNP concentration increased from 4 weeks after aortic banding(P<0.05) compared with sham-operated group. Eight weeks after the operation, -dp/dt decreased. LVSP increased from 12 weeks after the operation, and +dp/dt decreased at the same time. Changes above became more significant 16 weeks after the operation. There was a good correlation between BNP concentration and hemodynamic and hypertrophic parameters. Conclusion In the rat model of chronic heart failure by partially banding abdominal aorta, the changes of hypertrophic index emerge before the cardiac function changes.

Key words: rat, abdominal aortic banding, heart failure, animal model, cardiac hypertrophy