Two adjustable pulmonary artery banding devices were implanted in 14 young goats to evaluate their efficacy for the training of the pulmonary ventricle (right ventricle). An obstructing balloon catheter was placed in the lumen of the pulmonary artery in 7 animals (group I) and other 7 animals (group II) underwent implantation of an external pulmonary banding device. As a control group for septum, left and right ventricle weights a third group of 7 animals was used. Right ventricle (RV) load was increased gradually, at 24 hours intervals, for 96 hours. RV muscle mass evolution was assessed by echocardiography and by optical microscopy. All animals completed the protocol. RV to PT pressure gradient, RV to LV ratio, and RV systolic pressure were significantly higher in group II (p<0.05). A significant increase in the RV wall thickness was observed in groups I and II. RV dry weight and indexed weight were higher in groups I and II (p<0.05), with no difference between them (p>0.05). Myocyte perimeter and cross-area increased at the end of the training interval. We concluded that both devices are able to induce a similar degree of pulmonary ventricle hypertrophy, despite higher pressure gradients with the external banding device.
Heart ventricle; Pulmonary artery; Cardiovascular surgical procedures; Hypertrophy, left ventricular,; Heart ventricle; Hipertrophy, left ventricular; Ventricular outflow obstruction; Transposition of great arteries
