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Jensen B, Salvatori D, Schouten J, Meijborg VMF, Lauridsen H, Agger P. Trabeculations of the porcine and human cardiac ventricles are different in number but similar in total volume. Clin Anat 2024; 37:440-454. [PMID: 38217386 DOI: 10.1002/ca.24135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
An intricate meshwork of trabeculations lines the luminal side of cardiac ventricles. Compaction, a developmental process, is thought to reduce trabeculations by adding them to the neighboring compact wall which is then enlarged. When pig, a plausible cardiac donor for xenotransplantation, is compared to human, the ventricular walls appear to have fewer trabeculations. We hypothesized the trabecular volume is proportionally smaller in pig than in human. Macroscopically, we observed in 16 pig hearts that the ventricular walls harbor few but large trabeculations. Close inspection revealed a high number of tiny trabeculations, a few hundred, within the recesses of the large trabeculations. While tiny, these were still larger than embryonic trabeculations and even when considering their number, the total tally of trabeculations in pig was much fewer than in human. Volumetrics based on high-resolution MRI of additional six pig hearts compared to six human hearts, revealed the left ventricles were not significantly differently trabeculated (21.5 versus 22.8%, respectively), and the porcine right ventricles were only slightly less trabeculated (42.1 vs 49.3%, respectively). We then analyzed volumetrically 10 pig embryonic hearts from gestational day 14-35. The trabecular and compact layer always grew, as did the intertrabecular recesses, in contrast to what compaction predicts. The proportions of the trabecular and compact layers changed substantially, nonetheless, due to differences in their growth rate rather than compaction. In conclusion, processes that affect the trabecular morphology do not necessarily affect the proportion of trabecular-to-compact myocardium and they are then distinct from compaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjarke Jensen
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniela Salvatori
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jacobine Schouten
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Veronique M F Meijborg
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henrik Lauridsen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Peter Agger
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark
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Wiedmann F, Jamros M, Herlt V, Paasche A, Kraft M, Beck M, Prüser M, Erkal A, Harder M, Zaradzki M, Soethoff J, Karck M, Frey N, Schmidt C. A porcine large animal model of radiofrequency ablation-induced left bundle branch block. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1385277. [PMID: 38706948 PMCID: PMC11066324 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1385277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Electrocardiographic (ECG) features of left bundle branch (LBB) block (LBBB) can be observed in up to 20%-30% of patients suffering from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. However, predicting which LBBB patients will benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) or conduction system pacing remains challenging. This study aimed to establish a translational model of LBBB to enhance our understanding of its pathophysiology and improve therapeutic approaches. Methods Fourteen male pigs underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation of the proximal LBB under fluoroscopy and ECG guidance. Comprehensive clinical assessments (12-lead ECG, bloodsampling, echocardiography, electroanatomical mapping) were conducted before LBBB induction, after 7, and 21 days. Three pigs received CRT pacemakers 7 days after LBB ablation to assess resynchronization feasibility. Results Following proximal LBB ablation, ECGs displayed characteristic LBBB features, including QRS widening, slurring in left lateral leads, and QRS axis changes. QRS duration increased from 64.2 ± 4.2 ms to 86.6 ± 12.1 ms, and R wave peak time in V6 extended from 21.3 ± 3.6 ms to 45.7 ± 12.6 ms. Echocardiography confirmed cardiac electromechanical dyssynchrony, with septal flash appearance, prolonged septal-to-posterior-wall motion delay, and extended ventricular electromechanical delays. Electroanatomical mapping revealed a left ventricular breakthrough site shift and significantly prolonged left ventricular activation times. RF-induced LBBB persisted for 3 weeks. CRT reduced QRS duration to 75.9 ± 8.6 ms, demonstrating successful resynchronization. Conclusion This porcine model accurately replicates the electrical and electromechanical characteristics of LBBB observed in patients. It provides a practical, cost-effective, and reproducible platform to investigate molecular and translational aspects of cardiac electromechanical dyssynchrony in a controlled and clinically relevant setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Wiedmann
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- HCR (Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders), University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Max Jamros
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Valerie Herlt
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Amelie Paasche
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manuel Kraft
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Moritz Beck
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Merten Prüser
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- HCR (Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders), University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Atilla Erkal
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maren Harder
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marcin Zaradzki
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jasmin Soethoff
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Karck
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Frey
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- HCR (Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders), University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Constanze Schmidt
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Heidelberg/Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- HCR (Heidelberg Center for Heart Rhythm Disorders), University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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