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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2009; 57(8): 441-448
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1186070
Basic Science

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Desynchronization: A Novel Model to Induce Heart Failure

H. Möllmann1 , 2 [*] , S. Voss2 [*] , H. M. Nef1 , 2 , M. Lintz1 , 2 , C. Oltenau2 , S. Kostin4 , J. Sperzel1 , C. Troidl2 , 4 , W. Skwara3 , A. Rolf1 , C. Hamm1 , A. Elsässer2 , 5
  • 1Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Center, Bad Nauheim, Germany
  • 2Franz-Groedel-Institute of the Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Center, Bad Nauheim, Germany
  • 3Department of Cardiac Surgery, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Center, Bad Nauheim, Germany
  • 4Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
  • 5Department of Cardiology, Klinikum Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received March 18, 2009

Publication Date:
14 December 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Background: Previous large animal heart failure models led to inhomogeneous results. Therefore, we developed a novel model combining rapid pacing with forced ventricular desynchronization. Methods: Heart failure was induced in 20 pigs during a pacing period of 21 days. Group A (n = 10) received one right ventricular lead (220 bpm). In group B (n = 10), two leads were implanted in different right ventricular regions with beat-to-beat alternation of activation sites (each lead 110 bpm). Sham-operated pigs (n = 6) served as controls. Hemodynamics were invasively evaluated and tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and zymography. Results: Hemodynamics were significantly more impaired in group B with an increase of pulmonary capillary wedge and central venous pressure and a reduction of cardiac index (control 4.3 ± 0.1 l/min/m2; A 3.6 ± 0.2; B 2.9 ± 0.2, p < 0.05). Heart-to-body weight ratio was significantly higher in group B. Histological analyses showed a significant increase of cell diameters and interstitial fibrosis with significantly higher collagen contents in group B. Conclusion: The new model with a combination of rapid pacing and forced desynchronization of the ventricular contraction is superior to traditional heart failure models induced solely by rapid pacing.

Key words

heart failure - cardiomyopathy - rapid pacing - animal model - asynchrony

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1 Both authors contributed equally.

Dr. M.D. Helge Möllmann

Department of Cardiology
Kerckhoff Heart Center

Benekestrasse 2–8

61231 Bad Nauheim

Germany

Phone: + 49 60 32 99 60

Fax: + 49 6 03 29 96 28 27

Email: h.moellmann@kerckhoff-fgi.de