Mouse Models of Heart Failure with Preserved or Reduced Ejection Fraction

Distinguishing HF with reduced and preserved ejection fraction at the level of individual cardiomyocytes: implications for therapeutic development

“…As such, the HFrEF phenotype is often generated in rodents by surgical induction of myocardial infarction, or by introducing genetic mutations associated with human cardiomyopathies (Noll et al . 2020). To model HFrEF, Kilfoil et al .…”

“…As with other surgical models, the coronary ligation model accurately recapitulates the cardiac remodelling that occurs following myocardial infarction; however, the systemic factors that would contribute to the onset of myocardial infarction in human patients, such as vascular disease are not represented (Noll et al . 2020). Consequently, whether this model is a true representation of the complete HFrEF phenotype remains an open question.…”

“…Typically, HFpEF is modelled in rodents by experimentally inducing one of these co‐morbidities, using environmental factors or genetic manipulation (Noll et al . 2020). In the study by Kilfoil et al ., an HFpEF model was created by maintaining Dahl Salt‐Sensitive (DS) rats on a high‐salt diet, thereby inducing hypertension.…”

“…In addition to the absence of additional co‐morbidities, such as obesity or age, a potential specific limitation of the DS rat model is that high salt intake is the primary factor contributing to the development of hypertension, while hypertension in human patients is caused by a number of environmental and genetic factors (Noll et al . 2020). Therefore, this model accurately represents the haemodynamic factors contributing to the onset of HFpEF, but does not account for the various risk factors associated with hypertension in humans.…”

Searching for Preclinical Models of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: a Concise Narrative Overview and a Novel Swine Model

“…Over the years, several animal models have been employed in order to discover disease mechanisms and to develop new therapies for AHF [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Among them, the porcine model has been increasingly used due to its similarities to the human cardiac pathophysiology and genetics [8][9][10][11][12][13].…”