1. Protocol Text
<ol>
	<li>Before proceeding to surgery, anesthetize a male mouse (C57BL/6) that is 6 weeks of age or older by inhalation of 2-5% isoflurane. Perform a toe pinch to confirm that the animal is sufficiently anesthetized.</li>
	<li>The unconscious mouse is placed on its back on a warm pad to maintain a constant temperature of 37 &deg;C. The precordial chest on the left side is shaved.</li>
	<li>Secure the mouse to an intubation device with an isoflurane-filled chamber. Insert a tube of 0.2 inner diamet...

<ol>
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J., Flegal, K., O'Donnell, C., Kittner, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heart+disease+and+stroke+statistics--2006+update:+A+report+from+the+american+heart+association+statistics+committee+and+stroke+statistics+subcommittee.">Heart disease and stroke statistics--2006 update: A report from the american heart association statistics committee and stroke statistics subcommittee.</a> Circulation. 113, 85-151 (2006).</li><li>van den Bos, E. J., Mees, B. M., de Waard, M. C., de Crom, R., Duncker, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+model+of+cryoinjury-induced+myocardial+infarction+in+the+mouse:+A+comparison+with+coronary+artery+ligation.">A novel model of cryoinjury-induced myocardial infarction in the mouse: A comparison with coronary artery ligation.</a> Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol. 289, 1291-1300 (2005).</li><li>Omerovic, E., Ramunddal, T., Lorentzon, M., Nordlander, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+neuropeptide+y2+receptor+blockade+on+ventricular+arrhythmias+in+rats+with+acute+myocardial+infarction.">Effects of neuropeptide y2 receptor blockade on ventricular arrhythmias in rats with acute myocardial infarction.</a> Eur. J. Pharmacol. 565, 138-143 (2007).</li><li>Ahn, D., Cheng, L., Moon, C., Spurgeon, H., Lakatta, E. G., Talan, M. 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No conflicts of interest declared.

The surgical procedure for LCA ligation as demonstrated in this report is a reliable and reproducible method for induction of experimental MI in mice3, 6. The ligation of LCA according to this protocol induces myocardial ischemia engaging typically ~40% of left ventricle3. This induces significant ECG changes in ST segment7 and visible pallor on the anterior surface of the heart. Due to the large myocardial infarction, the mortality can be up to 30%8, 9. A note should be made ...

modified technique for coronary artery ligation in mice

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most important causes of mortality in humans1-3. In order to improve morbidity and mortality in patients with MI we need better knowledge about pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia. This knowledge may be valuable to define new therapeutic targets for innovative cardiovascular therapies4. Experimental MI model in mice is an increasingly popular small-animal model in preclinical research in which MI is induced by means of permanent or temporary ligation of left coronary artery (LCA)5. In this video, we describe the step-by-step method of how to induce experimental MI in mice.
The animal is first anesthetized with 2% isoflurane. The unconscious mouse is then intubated and connected to a ventilator for artificial ventilation. The left chest is shaved and 1.5 cm incision along mid-axillary line is made in the skin. The left pectoralis major muscle is bluntly dissociated until the ribs are exposed. The muscle layers are pulled aside and fixed with an eyelid-retractor. After these preparations, left thoracotomy is performed between the third and fourth ribs in order to visualize the anterior surface of the heart and left lung. The proximal segment of LCA artery is then ligated with a 7-0 ethilon suture which typically induces an infarct size ~40% of left ventricle. At the end, the chest is closed and the animals receive postoperative analgesia (Temgesic, 0.3 mg/50 ml, ip). The animals are kept in a warm cage until spontaneous recovery.

<table border="1" >
<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td> Instrument</td>
 <td>Function description</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Blunt-tip scissors </td>
 <td>Used to cut skin, intercostal chest muscle, and sutures</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Eye retractor</td>
 <td>Used to expose surgical view</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Blunt-tip forceps</td>
 <td>Used to grasp skin and muscle</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Needle holder</td>
 <td>To hold a needle</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>5-0 ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Modified Technique for Coronary Artery Ligation in Mice at JoVE.com

Modified Technique for Coronary Artery Ligation in Mice

The surgical procedure used to induce experimental myocardial infarction in mice begins with left thoracotomy between the third and the fourth ribs in order to visualize the anterior surface of the heart and left lung. The left coronary artery is ligated, the chest is closed and the mouse is allowed to recover spontaneously.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most important causes of mortality in humans1-3. In order to improve morbidity and mortality in patients with MI ...

modified-technique-for-coronary-artery-ligation-in-mice

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25.3K Views.  Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. The surgical procedure used to induce experimental myocardial infarction in mice begins with left thoracotomy between the third and the fourth ribs in order to visualize the anterior surface of the heart and left lung. The left coronary artery is ligated, the chest is closed and the mouse is allowed to recover spontaneously.