A refined, minimally invasive, reproducible ovine ischaemia-reperfusion-infarction model using implantable defibrillators: methodology and validation

This project sought to develop a translationally relevant preclinical model of myocardial infarction. We developed a sheep model using minimally invasive surgical approaches utilising standard clinically available devices and equipment. The developed model was associated with a marked reduction in overall mortality compared to other studies, having at least a 50% decrease in mortality rate when compared to the best performing similar studies. The associated publication provides a detailed methodological approach. The model satisfies key criteria of the 4th Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction and provides a platform for future mechanistic and therapeutic assessment studies.What is the central question of this study?· We sought to develop and describe in detail a minimally invasive, reproducible large animal model of myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion-infarction with improved survival outcomes and high translational relevance.What is the main finding and its importance?· Using minimally invasive balloon angioplasty approaches we developed a reproducible mode of ischaemia-reperfusion-infarction in sheep which satisfies key criteria in the 4th Universal Definition for Myocardial Infarction.Using an implantable cardiac defibrillator and intra-surgical antiarrhythmic drug routine, intraoperative mortality was reduced by at least 50% when compared to other large animal models of myocardial infarctionUnderpinning data is included where each Tab in the excel book indicates appropriate figure panels