Ischemic contracture of the heart (ICH) has been largely employed for the investigation of global heart ischemia physiopathology. We herein describe a simple ICH experimental model. Eight Wistar rats, anesthetized with sulfuric ether, were studied. The heart was rapidly removed by thoracotomy, and then immersed in a 37°C saline bath. A latex balloon catheter placed in the left ventricle and distended to 20 mmHg was used to detect ICH onset (ICHO) and intensity (ICHI). A 5 mmHg baseline elevation pepresented ICHO. ICHI was represented by peak balloon pressure. ICH dP/dT was calculated. The results (mean ± standard deviation) were similar to the literature: ICHO (min) = 15.5 ± 0.59; ICHI (mmHg) = 62.0 ± 5.81; dP/dT (mmHg/min) = 14.2 ± 3.05.
Myocardial contraction; Myocardial ischemia
