A novel experimental model of New Zealand rabbit for the biocompatible assessment of 0.1 mm PTFE / 复旦学报（医学版）

ABSTRACT

Objective To establish a novel experimental model of New Zealand rabbit to assess the biocompatibility of 0.1 mm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),a novel material of pulmonary valve.Methods Forty-two adult New Zealand rabbits about 3 kg were selected to give 35 mg/kg ketamine and 0.25 mg/kg dexmedetomidine intramuscularly for the anesthesia.The chest was open to expose the upper segment.The surface of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) was exposed after the pericardium was opened partially.The valve material (0.1 mm PTFE) was inserted into the right ventricle via the central mini-incision.Then the skin was closed and the rabbits were recoved with the oxygen inhalation.Results Forty-two adult New Zealand rabbits accepted the operation.Six rabbits died during the early period due to the inappropriate anesthesia drug (n =2),pneumothorax (n =1) and thrombosis (n =3),which occurred the 5th,7th and 8th postoperative day.The anticoagulation treatment was adjusted to solve the thrombosis problem.Thirty-six rabbits survived for several months with weight increase until the experiment was finished.Conclusions The experimental model of New Zealand rabbit is appropriate for the biocompatible assessment of 0.1 mm PTFE.The advantage is to avoid intubation and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and to decrease the pneumothorax.