A Minimally Invasive Model of Aortic Stenosis in Swine

Summary

This protocol describes a minimally invasive surgical procedure for ascending aortic banding in swine.

Abstract

Large animal models of heart failure play an essential role in the development of new therapeutic interventions due to their size and physiological similarities to humans. Efforts have been dedicated to creating a model of pressure-overload induced heart failure, and ascending aortic banding while still supra-coronary and not a perfect mimic of aortic stenosis in humans, closely resembling the human condition.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate a minimally invasive approach to induce left ventricular pressure overload by placing an aortic band, precisely calibrated with percutaneously introduced high-fidelity pressure sensors. This method represents a refinement of the surgical procedure (3Rs), resulting in homogenous trans-stenotic gradients and reduced intragroup variability. Additionally, it enables swift and uneventful animal recovery, leading to minimal mortality rates. Throughout the study, animals were followed for up to 2 months after surgery, employing transthoracic echocardiography and pressure-volume loop analysis. However, longer follow-up periods can be achieved if desired. This large animal model proves valuable for testing new drugs, particularly those targeting hypertrophy and the structural and functional alterations associated with left ventricular pressure overload.

Introduction

Heart failure (HF) is a life-threatening disease that affects millions of people worldwide, causing major social and economic impacts¹. One of its significant etiologies is aortic valve disease or aortic stenosis (AS). Aortic stenosis is more prevalent in advanced age and ranks as the second most common valvular lesion in the United States. AS-related mortality has also increased in Europe, particularly in countries without access to recent interventional procedures². Given the complexity of HF and the scarcity of therapeutic innovations, there is a pressing need for reliable animal models that can replicate the human co....

Protocol

The animal experiments were performed at the Experimental Surgery laboratory in the University of Porto, Cardiovascular Research and Development Centre (UnIC, Porto, Portugal). The institutional animal ethics committee approved the study in accordance with the National Authority for Animal Health (Direcção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária, DGAV, Ref: 2021-07-30 011706 0421/000/000/2021). The experimenters were either licensed (FELASA-equivalent Laboratory Animal Sciences authorization) or were .......

Discussion

In recent years, several studies have utilized surgical aortic banding as a model for left ventricular pressure overload and heart failure (descending⁹ to the ascending aorta¹⁰), allowing researchers to obtain various phenotypes tailored to their specific needs. Although using such models requires costly equipment and specialized knowledge, the information they provide is invaluable. Swine, due to its size and similarity to the human heart, serves as an ideal model

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
3-0 PDS II suture	Ethicon	Z683G	Aorta banding
5-0 prolene	Ethicon	7472H	Aorta banding
ACUSON NX2 Ultrasound System	Siemens	(240)11284381	Vascular Access and Echocardiography
Arterial Extension 200 cm	PMH	303.0666	Anesthesia Maintenance
Atlan A300 Ventilator	Draeger	8621300	Ventilation
Bone cutters	Fehling	AMP 367.00	Aorta banding
Cefazolin 1000 mg	Labesfal	100063	Antibiotic
Chlorhexidine 4% Wash Solution	AGA	19110008	Cleaning
Doyen Intestinal Forceps	Aesculap	EA121R	Intubation
Echogenic Introducer Needle	Teleflex	AN-04318	Vascular Access
Endotracheal tube	Intersurgical	8040070	Intubation
ePTFE vascular graft (5 mm x 40 cm)	GORE-TEX	S0504	Aorta banding
Extension line 100 cm	PMH	303.0394	Anesthesia Induction
F.O. Laryngoscope	Luxamed	E1.317.012	Intubation
F.O. Miller Blade 4 204 x 17 mm	Luxamed	3	Intubation
Fenestrated Sterile Drape	Bastos Viegas	4882-256	Aseptic Technique
Fentanyl 0.5 mg/10 mL	B.Braun	5758883	Anesthesia / Analgesia
Guidewire 260 cm J-tip	B.Braun	J3 FC-FS 260-035	Left Ventricle catheterization
Infusomat Space Infusion Pump	B.Braun	24101800	Fluids / Drug administration
Intercostal retractor	Fehling Surgical	MRP-1	Thoracotomy
Introcan Certo IV Catheter 20G	B.Braun	4251326	Fluids / Drug administration
Isotonic Saline Solution 0.9%	B.Braun	5/44929/1/0918	Fluids / Drug administration
Ketamidor 100 mg/mL	Richter pharma	1121908AB	Anesthesia Induction
L10-5v Linear Transducer	Siemens	11284481	Vascular Access
Midazolam 15 mg/3 mL	Labesfal	PLB762-POR/2	Anesthesia Induction
Mikro-cath	Millar	63405(1)	Pressure recording
MP1 guide catheter 6 Fr	Cordis	67027000	Left Ventricle catheterization
Needle Holder	Fehling Surgical	ZYY-5	Aorta banding
Non-woven adhesive	Bastos Viegas	442-002	Fluids / Drug administration
P4-2 Phased Array Transducer	Siemens	11284467	Echocardiography
Perfusor Compact Syringe Perfusion Pump	B.Braun	8717030	Fluids / Drug administration
Pressure Signal Conditioner	ADinstruments	PCU-2000	Pressure recording
Propofol Lipuro 2%	B.Braun	357410	Anesthesia Maintenance
Radifocus Introducer II Standard Kit B - Introducer Sheath	Terumo	RS+B60K10MQ	Vascular Access
Radiopaque marker	Scanlan	1001-83	Aorta banding
Scissors	Fehling Surgical		Thoracotomy
Skinprep (Chlorhexidine 2% / 70% Isopropyl alcohol)	Vygon	SKPC015ES	Disinfection
Stopcock manifold (3 ports)	PMH	310.0489	Fluids / Drug administration
Straight forceps	Fehling Surgical	ZYY-1	Thoracotomy
Stresnil 40 mg/mL	ecuphar	572184.2	Anesthesia Induction
Syringe Luer Lock 20 cc	Omnifix B.Braun	4617207V	Anesthesia Induction
Syringe Luer Lock 50 cc	Omnifix B.Braun	4617509F	Anesthesia Maintenance
Transdermal fentanyl Patch 50 mcg/h	Mylan	5022153	Analgesia
Ultravist	Bayer	KT0B019	Angiography
Universal Hemostasis Valve Adapter	Merit Medical	UHVA08	Left Ventricle catheterization
Velcro Limb Immobilizer	PMH	SU-211	Animal stabilization
Venofix A, 21 G	B.Braun	4056337	Anesthesia Induction
Vista 120S Patient Monitor	Draeger	MS32997	Monitoring
Weck titanium clip	Teleflex	523760	Aorta banding
Weck titanium clip applier	Teleflex	523166	Aorta banding
Zhiem Vision	Iberdata	N/A	Fluoroscopy