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Biotech Week via NewsEdge Corporation :

2007 OCT 31 - (NewsRx.com) — According to a study from Athens, Greece, “‘Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a field of continuous research (see also Heart Attack). In order to answer various questions regarding SCD, several animal models have been developed.”

“The aim of the present study is to describe our experimental model of inducing cardiac arrest in Landrace/Large White pigs, and then resuscitated according to the International Guidelines on resuscitation. Fifteen Landrace/Large White pigs were anaesthetized and intubated while spontaneously breathing. The left and right jugular veins, as well as the femoral and the carotid arteries, were surgically prepared. Induction of cardiac arrest was achieved by using an ordinary rechargeable lithium battery, through a pacemaker wire inserted into the right ventricle. The typical Advanced Life Support ALS) protocol was followed, and in case of restoration of spontaneous circulation, the animals were further evaluated for 30 min. Seven animals were successfully resuscitated using this protocol, whereas eight failed resuscitation efforts. Successful resuscitation was contingent on the restoration of the levels of coronary perfusion pressure and PETCO2 during chest compressions. Among the different ways of inducing cardiac arrest, the ordinary lithium battery is a simple, safe and valuable technique,” wrote T. Xanthos and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: “Landrace/Large White pigs’ baseline haemodynamics closely resemble human haemodynamics, making the breed a favourable model for resuscitation.”

Xanthos and colleagues published the results of their research in Laboratory Animals (Cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitation in Landrace/Large White swine: a research model. Laboratory Animals, 2007;41(3):353-362).

For additional information, contact T. Xanthos, 100 Klytemnistras St., Athens 13122, Greece.

The publisher of the journal Laboratory Animals can be contacted at: Royal Society Medicine Press Ltd., 1 Wimpole Street, London W1G 0AE, England.

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