Modified technique for production of experimental right-sided congestive heart failure

Abstract

Experimental heart failure was produced by tricuspid insufficiency accomplished by digital avulsion of the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve and progressive pulmonary stenosis by progressive distension of a periarterial hydraulic occluder implanted at the base of the pulmonary artery. This technique is advantageous because it allows external regulation of the degree of pulmonary occlusion and is associated with a negligible operative mortality and consistently produces dogs with heart failure which remain otherwise healthy for many months.