Abstract: Objective To establish an animal model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(EF)resulting from hypertension.Methods35 male New-Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to 2 groups:constriction was performed at the abdominal aorta 1 cm just above right renal artery in operated group(n=25),and the sham-operated animals were taken as control group(n=10).The clinical manifestations of heart failure were followed up carefully.Systolic and diastolic function,and systemic hemodynamics were investigated with echocardiography and left ventricle catheter.ResultsIn operated group,marked ventricular hypertrophy was observed 2 weeks after operation.4 weeks after operation,the clinical manifestations of heart failure presented,and IVRT and LVEDP increased,and-dp/dt _max decreased.Tissue doppler image indicated that e/a ratio of annulus of mitral valve decreased(P<0.05).However,EF and +dp/dt _max were preserved.ConclusionThe operated animals presented the clinical manifestation of heart failure,and diastolic function of left ventricle injured,however,ejection fraction was preserved,which corresponded with the character of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction resulting from hypertension.

Key words: diastolic heart failure, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, model, rabbit, constriction of abdominal aorta