A new hydrodynamic approach by infusion of drag-reducing polymers to improve left ventricular function in rats with myocardial infarction

BackgroundRecent studies have shown that drag-reducing polymers (DRPs) prolonged survival time in rats with acute myocardial infarction (MI), but their effect on cardiac function post MI remains unknown. This study sought to test the hypothesis that intravenous infusion of DRPs may improve left ventricular (LV) function in rats following surgically induced MI.MethodsMI was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in 36 Sprague-Dawley rats, and sham operations were performed in 12 animals. DRPs were then administered to 18 of the MI rats. Echocardiograpy was used to evaluate the changes of impaired LV function and global wall motion. Besides, the hydrodynamic effect of DRPs on microcirculation was also assessed.ResultsThe survival rate at 24 h following MI was significantly different among the sham, MI and DRP groups (p = 0.023). DRP-treated animals had marked smaller left ventricular end-systolic diameter and better anterior systolic wall thickness comparison with untreated rats. Significant improvement of fractional shortening and ejection fraction were detected in MI rats with DRP. Wall motion score index and contrast score index were both significantly reduced by DRP treatment. DRPs were shown to have beneficial effects on microvascular variables including red blood cell velocity, diameter, blood flow and calculated wall shear stress in third-order arteriole.ConclusionsAcute administration of DRPs improved LV function in a rat model of MI possibly by improving microvascular blood flow due to their unique hydrodynamic properties. DRPs may offer a new approach to the treatment of coronary artery ischemic diseases.