The Use of Large Animal Models for Cardiac Electrophysiology Studies

Large animal models can be utilized to recreate many cardiac electrophysiological diseases states and procedures and to test new devices and imaging techniques; however, selecting the appropriate model for study is critically important. In this chapter, a brief summary of regulatory principles regarding animal models is presented. Factors for choosing an animal model, such as growth rate, ease of handling, electrocardiographic characteristics, and comparative cardiac anatomy, are detailed, with the cardiac anatomy presented in terms of common electrophysiologic procedures: cardiac pacing lead and device placement, conduction system pacing, and ablation studies. For performing anesthetized surgical cardiac procedures, general anesthesia information is provided, along with common methods of accessing the heart and invasive monitoring techniques. Finally, common electrophysiologic interventions are discussed such as different techniques for creating common pathologies including congestive heart failure, acute and chronic atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, and myocardial infarction (ischemia).