Dyssynchronous heart failure models in canines: New insights into electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and histological features

Abstract

Background: We investigated the similarities and differences between two experimental approaches using tachy-pacing technology to induce desynchronized heart failure in canines.

Methods: A total of eight dogs were included in the experiment, four were tachy-paced in right ventricle apex (RVAP) and 4 were paced in right atrium after the ablation of left bundle branch to achieve left bundle branch block (RAP+LBBB). Three weeks of follow-up were conducted to observe the changes in cardiac function and myocardial staining was performed at the end of the experiment.

Results: Both experimental approaches successfully established heart failure with reduced ejection fraction models, with similar trends in declining cardiac function. The RAP+LBBB group exhibited a prolonged overall ventricular activation time, delayed left ventricular activation, and lesser impact on the right ventricle. The RVAP approach led to a reduction in overall right ventricular compliance and right ventricular enlargement. The RAP+LBBB group exhibited significant reductions in left heart compliance (LVGLS, %: RAP+LBBB -12.60±0.12 to -5.93±1.25; RVAP -13.28±0.62 to -8.05±0.63, p=0.023; LASct, %: RAP+LBBB -15.75±6.85 to -1.50±1.00; RVAP -15.75±2.87 to -10.05±6.16, p=0.035). Histological examination revealed more pronounced fibrosis in the left ventricular wall and left atrium in the RAP+LBBB group while the RVAP group showed more prominent fibrosis in the right ventricular myocardium.

Conclusion: Both approaches establish HFrEF models with comparable trends. The RVAP group shows impaired right ventricular function, while the RAP+LBBB group exhibits more severe decreased compliance and fibrosis in left ventricle.

Keywords

dyssynchrony / heart failure / tachy-pacing technology

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2024 The Authors. Animal Models and Experimental Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences.