OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of the TCM syndrome and the changes of ventricular structure and function in heart failure (HF) rats after- myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODSRats were randomly divided in to the model group and the sham-operative group. The HF rat with MI model was induced by ligation of the left coronary artery. Eight weeks after operation, appraisal on TCM syndrome revealed in the model was made from the aspects of general status, breathing frequency, heart rate, exhausting swimming time and electrocardiogram, and left ventricular structure and function were observed with echocardiography.

RESULTSEight weeks after operation, as compared with those in the sham group, in the model group, the heart rate and breathing frequency were accelerated, the exhausting swimming time shortened, the echocardiogram parameters such as interventricular septum end-diastole thickness (IVSTd), posterior wall end-diastole thickness (PWTd), posterior wall end-systolic thickness (PWTs), ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) of the left ventricular reduced (P < 0.01), while left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVDd) and end-systolic dimension (LVDs) obviously increased (P < 0.01). In 12 leads electrocardiogram, the leads of ST segment elevated and abnormal Q wave increased. Additionally, the ratio of whole heart weight/body weight increased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe HF rats after MI manifests Xin-qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and shows the pathological changes of left ventricular remodeling and function impairment.