Transverse Aortic Constriction: a Model to Study Heart Failure in Small Animals

• Published in: Manual of Research Techniques in Cardiovascular Medicine pp. 164 - 169
• Main Authors: Verma, Suresh Kumar, Krishnamurthy, Prasanna, Kishore, Raj
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 21.02.2014
• Subjects: cardiac hypertrophy; cardiovascular disease; heart failure; surgical procedure; transverse aortic constriction
• DOI: 10.1002/9781118495148.ch20
• ISBN: 0470672692; 9780470672693

Limitations of in vitro and chemical (angiotensin II or isoproterenol) infusion systems to mimic cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure conditions necessitate a relevant in vivo physiological model to mimic this disease. The leading strategy to develop hypertrophic heart failure in mice is by constriction of the transverse aorta (mimic of aortic stenosis), resulting in excessive load on the left ventricle. Aortic constriction is the most accepted method used by cardiovascular scientists to mimic hypertrophic heart disease. This chapter provides comprehensive details of transverse aortic constriction procedures and will guide the readers through the entire procedure, from the preparation of the animal for surgery until its full recovery; a list of all necessary tools and devices is included. Adhering to our recommendations should improve reproducibility of the model and bring the number of required animal subjects to the minimum.