Modified Technique for Coronary Artery Ligation in Mice

Summary

The surgical procedure used to induce experimental myocardial infarction in mice begins with left thoracotomy between the third and the fourth ribs in order to visualize the anterior surface of the heart and left lung. The left coronary artery is ligated, the chest is closed and the mouse is allowed to recover spontaneously.

Abstract

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the most important causes of mortality in humans^1-3. In order to improve morbidity and mortality in patients with MI we need better knowledge about pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia. This knowledge may be valuable to define new therapeutic targets for innovative cardiovascular therapies⁴. Experimental MI model in mice is an increasingly popular small-animal model in preclinical research in which MI is induced by means of permanent or temporary ligation of left coronary artery (LCA)⁵. In this video, we describe the step-by-step method of how to induce experimental MI in mice.

The animal is first anesthetized with 2% isoflurane. The unconscious mouse is then intubated and connected to a ventilator for artificial ventilation. The left chest is shaved and 1.5 cm incision along mid-axillary line is made in the skin. The left pectoralis major muscle is bluntly dissociated until the ribs are exposed. The muscle layers are pulled aside and fixed with an eyelid-retractor. After these preparations, left thoracotomy is performed between the third and fourth ribs in order to visualize the anterior surface of the heart and left lung. The proximal segment of LCA artery is then ligated with a 7-0 ethilon suture which typically induces an infarct size ~40% of left ventricle. At the end, the chest is closed and the animals receive postoperative analgesia (Temgesic, 0.3 mg/50 ml, ip). The animals are kept in a warm cage until spontaneous recovery.

Protocol

1. Protocol Text

1. Before proceeding to surgery, anesthetize a male mouse (C57BL/6) that is 6 weeks of age or older by inhalation of 2-5% isoflurane. Perform a toe pinch to confirm that the animal is sufficiently anesthetized.
2. The unconscious mouse is placed on its back on a warm pad to maintain a constant temperature of 37 °C. The precordial chest on the left side is shaved.
3. Secure the mouse to an intubation device with an isoflurane-filled chamber. Insert a tube of 0.2 inner diameter into the mouse's trachea through mouth, then place the intubated mouse on an aseptic surgical area (37 °C by a temperature controller) and conn....

Results

Instrument	Function description
Blunt-tip scissors	Used to cut skin, intercostal chest muscle, and sutures
Eye retractor	Used to expose surgical view
Blunt-tip forceps	Used to grasp skin and muscle
Needle holder	To hold a needle
5-0 s.......

Discussion

The surgical procedure for LCA ligation as demonstrated in this report is a reliable and reproducible method for induction of experimental MI in mice^{3, 6}. The ligation of LCA according to this protocol induces myocardial ischemia engaging typically ~40% of left ventricle³. This induces significant ECG changes in ST segment⁷ and visible pallor on the anterior surface of the heart. Due to the large myocardial infarction, the mortality can be up to 30%^{8, 9}. A note should be made .......