Objective To report a reliable left heart failure model in sheep using selected ligation of the diagonal branch. Methods Four male sheep were used. After a left anterior thoracotomy in sheep, the diagonal branch of coronary artery was ligated at a point approximately 40% of the distance from the apex to the base of the heart. Hemodynamic and echocardiography measurements were done preligation, 30 minutes and 7 days after the coronary artery of diagonal branch ligation. The electrocardiograms were obtained as needed, and cardiac function was also evaluated. The sheep were killed for postmortem examination of their hearts. Results Four sheep survived the experimental procedures. Comparing with before surgery, systemic arterial blood pressure and cardiac output were decreased, pulmonaryartery systolic pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and central venous pressure were increased at 30 min and 7 days after selected ligation of the coronary artery of diagonal branch; left ventricular end-diastolic dimension and left ventricular end-systolic dimension were increased; left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening were also decreased (Plt;0.05). Conclusion A reliable ovine model of left ventricular failure using selected ligation of the diagonal branch of the coronary artery can be achieved. This animal model is comparable to the clinical correlation.
