A Chronic Heart Failure Model by Coronary Artery Ligation in the Goat

The availability of a reliable heart failure model in large animals is important. We report upon our efforts to develop a chronic heart failure model in seven goats using sequential ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and its diagonal branch. After anesthesia and left thoracotomy, the LAD artery was ligated, and the diagonal vessel at the same level was ligated one hour later. Cardiac measurements were performed with a thermodilution catheter and by ultrasonography. Two months after the operation, the same measurements were made and animals were sacrificed for postmortem examinations of their hearts. Hemodynamic measurements, except cardiac output, showed no significant changes immediately after the coronary artery ligation. Echocardiographic measurements showed significant changes in the ejection fraction and fractional shortening without changes in left ventricular dimensions. Wall motion analyses demonstrated variable degrees of anteroseptal dyskinesia and akinesia in all animals immediately after coronary artery ligation. Five animals have undergone hemodynamic and ultrasonographic studies 2 months after coronary artery ligation. The results obtained from these animals showed significant increases in central venous pressure, right ventricular pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary artery capillary wedge pressure, and a significant decrease in cardiac output. Increases in left ventricular dimensions and decreases in ejection fraction with fractional shortening in ultrasonographic studies were also observed. Pathologically, well-demarcated thin-walled anteroseptal infarcts, with chamber enlargement, were clearly seen with dilatation of the heart chambers in all specimens. Based on this study, we conclude that goats, like sheep, can provide a reliable model of chronic heart failure by coronary artery ligation and in view of the many advantages offered by goats, we believe that this animal model will be useful for cardiac experimentation.