The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 46, 631-637, Copyright © 1988 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
A canine model to assess the electrical stability of the transplanted heart
JM Levett and J Bianchi
Deborah Research Institute, Browns Mills, NJ.
The electrophysiological stability of the transplanted heart under
conditions of myocardial ischemia is largely unknown. This problem was
studied using a canine model of total cardiac denervation as a substitute
for transplantation. Group 1 (N = 3) served as control with placement of
ventricular pacing wires only. Group 2 (N = 3) underwent total cardiac
denervation with placement of ventricular wires. Group 3 (N = 8) underwent
total cardiac denervation with subsequent ligation of the left anterior
descending coronary artery and collaterals to the apex. Group 4 (N = 9)
underwent coronary artery ligation only. Chronic electrophysiological
studies were conducted in all groups in the conscious state.
Electrophysiological variables were determined from continuous Holter
monitoring of the ECG, determination of strength- interval curves, and
assessment of the inducibility of ventricular tachycardia by premature
programmed pacing. In general, the denervated, infarcted group (Group 3)
consistently demonstrated a greater level of electrical stability than the
infarcted animals with normal innervation (Group 4).
