Background Systematic reviews have disclosed a lack of clinically relevant cardiac arrest animal models. The aim of this study was to develop a cardiac arrest model in pigs encompassing relevant cardiac arrest characteristics and clinically relevant post-resuscitation care. Methods and Results We used 2 methods of myocardial infarction in conjunction with cardiac arrest. One group (n=7) had a continuous coronary occlusion, while another group (n=11) underwent balloon-deflation during arrest and resuscitation with re-inflation after return of spontaneous circulation. A sham group was included (n=6). All groups underwent 48 hours of intensive care including 24 hours of targeted temperature management. Pigs underwent invasive hemodynamic monitoring. Left ventricular function was assessed by pressure-volume measurements. The proportion of pigs with return of spontaneous circulation was 43% in the continuous infarction group and 64% in the deflation-reinflation group. In the continuous infarction group 29% survived the entire protocol while 55% survived in the deflation-reinflation group. Both cardiac arrest groups needed vasopressor and inotropic support and pressure-volume measurements showed cardiac dysfunction. During rewarming, systemic vascular resistance decreased in both cardiac arrest groups. Median [25%;75%] troponin-I 48 hours after return of spontaneous circulation, was 88 973 ng/L [53 124;99 740] in the continuous infarction group, 19 661 ng/L [10 871;23 209] in the deflation-reinflation group, and 1973 ng/L [1117;1995] in the sham group. Conclusions This article describes a cardiac arrest pig model with myocardial infarction, targeted temperature management, and clinically relevant post-cardiac arrest care. We demonstrate 2 methods of inducing myocardial ischemia with cardiac arrest resulting in post-cardiac arrest organ injury including cardiac dysfunction and cerebral injury.
Keywords: animal experiment; cardiac arrest; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; post‐cardiac arrest intensive care; pressure‐volume measurements.