Model of Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in Rabbits

This protocol provides a simple, reliable, and reproducible methodology to induce in situ acute regional myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in a rabbit model for non-survival and survival experiments. This technique has minimal mortality and morbidity via two different surgical approaches. The methodology is cost-effective and has low technical demand and thus can be performed by investigators without surgical expertise.

Exposing the LAD through a mini-thoracotomy can be challenging. We recommend making a fourth intercostal space anterior parasternal incision extending five to six centimeters laterally and practicing such exposure and rabbit necropsy prior. To perform a left mini-thoracotomy for survival studies, elevate the left side of the anesthetized rabbit approximately 30 degrees using a pillow.