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Assessment of a New Experimental Model of Isolated Right Ventricular Failure
Author(s) -
Thomaz Petronio G.,
Assad Renato S.,
Abduch Maria C.D.,
Marques Euclides,
Aiello Vera D.,
Stolf Noedir A.G.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
artificial organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1525-1594
pISSN - 0160-564X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1594.2009.00716.x
Subject(s) - ventricle , heart failure , cardiology , medicine , hemodynamics , ejection fraction , diastole , myocardial infarction , blood pressure
We assessed a new experimental model of isolated right ventricular (RV) failure, achieved by means of intramyocardial injection of ethanol. RV dysfunction was induced in 13 mongrel dogs via multiple injections of 96% ethanol (total dose 1 mL/kg), all over the inlet and trabecular RV free walls. Hemodynamic and metabolic parameters were evaluated at baseline, after ethanol injection, and on the 14th postoperative day (POD). Echocardiographic parameters were evaluated at baseline, on the sixth POD, and on the 13th POD. The animals were then euthanized for histopathological analysis of the hearts. There was a 15.4% mortality rate. We noticed a decrease in pulmonary blood flow right after RV failure ( P = 0.0018), as well as during reoperation on the 14th POD ( P = 0.002). The induced RV dysfunction caused an increase in venous lactate levels immediately after ethanol injection and on the 14th POD ( P < 0.0003). The echocardiogram revealed a decrease in the RV ejection fraction on the sixth and 13th PODs ( P = 0.0001). There was an increased RV end‐diastolic volume on the sixth ( P = 0.0001) and 13th PODs ( P = 0.0084). The right ventricle showed a 74% ± 0.06% transmural infarction area, with necrotic lesions aged 14 days. Intramyocardial ethanol injection has allowed the creation of a reproducible and inexpensive model of RV failure. The hemodynamic, metabolic, and echocardiographic parameters assessed at different protocol times are compatible with severe RV failure. This model may be useful in understanding the pathophysiology of isolated right‐sided heart failure, as well as in the assessment of ventricular assist devices.