A canine model of chronic heart failure produced by multiple sequential coronary microembolizations

A canine model of chronic heart failure was produced by multiple sequential intracoronary embolizations with microspheres. Twenty closed-chest dogs underwent three to nine intracoronary embolizations performed 1-3 wk apart. Embolizations were discontinued when left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction was <35%. LV ejection fraction was 64 ± 2% at baseline and decreased to 21 ± 1% at 3 mo after the last embolization (P < 0.001). During the same period, LV end-diastolic pressure increased from 6 ± 1 to 22 ± 3 mmHg (P < 0.001); LV end-diastolic volume increased from 64 ± 3 to 101 ± 6 ml (P < 0.001), and cardiac output decreased from 2.9 ± 0.2 to 2.3 ± 0.1 l/min (P < 0.01). These changes were accompanied by significant reductions of peak LV +dP/dt and peak LV -dP/dt and significant increases of pulmonary artery wedge pressure and systemic vascular resistance. Plasma norepinephrine increased from 332 ± 17 pg/ml at baseline to 791 ± 131 pg/ml at 3 mo after the last embolization (P < 0.01); plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor increased from 12.7 ± 10.0 to 28.8 ± 8.6 pmol/l (P < 0.01), whereas plasma renin activity remained unchanged. Gross and microscopic postmortem examination showed patchy myocardial fibrosis and LV hypertrophy. We conclude that multiple intracoronary embolizations with microspheres, separated in time, can lead to chronic heart failure in dogs. The preparation is stable and reproducible and manifests many of the sequelae of heart failure that result from loss of contractile myocardium.