A canine acute coronary occlusion model using thrombus implantation by percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract Objective To establish an acute canine coronary artery occlusion model by implanting a mixed thrombus prepared in vitro into the coronary artery by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods This study included 14 healthy Beagle dogs aged 10–13 months. First, 5 ml of canine venous blood was drawn to prepare the coronary artery thrombus in vitro. The thrombus was then implanted into the canine coronary artery by PCI to establish an animal model of acute coronary artery occlusion. Dogs were randomly divided into two experimental groups: group A, in which dogs were assessed for 2 h after coronary occlusion, and group B, in which dogs were assessed for 4 h after surgery. Baseline and postoperative assessment included cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels, electrocardiography (ECG), plain and contrast echocardiography, and large‐scale digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Results Canine venous blood was successfully used to prepare a mixed thrombus with reticular fibrin structure and activated platelets in vitro. After the mixed thrombus was implanted into the coronary artery, large‐scale DSA showed no contrast medium perfusion, confirming complete occlusion of the coronary artery. After the coronary artery occlusion, dogs in both groups showed ST segment elevation >0.5 MV, a 0.9 μg/L increase in CTnT (p < 0.001), and increased EDV and ESV. Dogs also showed decreased left ventricular EF and FS and decreased MBF in the infarcted area (p < 0.05). Conclusions An experimental model of acute coronary artery occlusion in dogs was successfully established by implanting a mixed thrombus developed in vitro into the coronary artery using minimally invasive PCI.