OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of establishing a rabbit model of congestive heart failure model by abdominal aortic coarctation combined with intravenous epinephrine infusion.

METHODSTwenty rabbits were randomized into the study group (n=10) and control group (n=10). Congestive heart failure was induced in the study group by abdominal aortic coarctation combined with intravenous epinephrine infusion. The diameter of the abdominal aorta was reduced by 50%-60%, and epinephrine was infused at 2 weeks (5 mg.kg(-1).min(-1) for 60 min), 4 weeks (4 mg.kg(-1).min(-1) for 60 min) and 6 weeks (4 mg.kg(-1).min(-1) for 60 min) after the operation. The changes in the systolic and diastolic functions of the rabbits were assessed by echocardiography and catheterization during the progression of left hypertrophy.

RESULTSThe diameter of the abdominal aorta at the coarctation region was 4.87-/+0.53 mm before the operation, reduced to 2.26-/+0.47 mm after the operation. At 8 weeks after the operation, the hearts of the rabbits in the study group showed obvious abnormalities in echocardiography, while the hearts in the control group remained normal.

CONCLUSIONAbdominal aortic coarctation combined with intravenous epinephrine infusion allows rapid establishment of a reliable rabbit model of chronic congestive heart failure.