Development of Mild Aortic Valve Stenosis in a Rabbit Model of Hypertension
Luis A. Cuniberti, PhD*,*,
Pablo G. Stutzbach, FACC, MD ,
Eduardo Guevara, FACC, MD,
Gustavo G. Yannarelli, MSc*,
Rubén P. Laguens, MD, PhD and
Roberto R. Favaloro, MD, PhD
* Lipid and Atherosclerosis Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Favaloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery of the Favaloro Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Figure 1 Effect of hypertension (HTA) on aortic valve by echocardiographic assessment. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to measure the following morphologic and functional parameters at baseline and at two and four months of follow-up: valve thickness (A), aortic valve area (AVA) x continuity (B), maximal gradient (C), and mean gradient (D) in hypertensive (left) and control rabbits (right).
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Figure 2 Aortic valve photographs from rabbits over study period. The aortic valve is shown from the ascending aorta. (A) Control after four months; (B) hypertension (HTA) after two months; (C) HTA after four months. The control aortic valves have a clear glistening appearance, whereas valves from hypertensive animals show marked signs of tissue hypertrophy after four months.
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Figure 3 Light microscopy of rabbit aortic valves after four months with Masson trichrome stain. A1 and B1 = control; A2 and B2 = hypertension. (A) Low-magnification view (x25); (B) high-magnification view (x400). Aortic valves from hypertensive animals are characterized by increased valve thickness and development of inflammation nodules.
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