BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) is the main cause of heart failure (HF), and sympathetic nerve activity is associated with prognosis chronic heart failure. Renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) is noted for its powerful effect on the inhibition of sympathetic nerve activity. This study investigated the effect of RDN on heart failure in dogs after myocardial infarction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experimental animals were randomized into 2 groups: the MI group (n=12) and the sham operation group (n=6). In the MI group we established an MI model by permanently ligating the left anterior descending branch. After 4 weeks, the MI dogs were randomly divided into 2 groups: the MI+RDN group (MI+renal sympathetic denervation, n=6) and the simple MI group (n=6). Animals in the MI+RDN group underwent both surgical and chemical renal denervation.

RESULTS: Compared with sham operation group, left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were significantly reduced in the simple MI group, while the reduction was partly reversed in the MI+RDN group. RDN reduced sympathetic nerve activity and release of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and Angiotensin II (AngII) in the MI+ RDN group but not in the simple MI group.

CONCLUSIONS: Canine renal sympathetic denervation prevents myocardial malignant remodeling by lowering the activity of the systemic sympathetic nerve and inhibiting renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RASS) activation, providing a new target and method for the treatment of heart failure.

Keywords: Sympathetic Nervous System, Blood Pressure, Denervation, Dogs, Echocardiography, Heart, Kidney, Renal Artery, Renin-Angiotensin System, Sympathectomy, Ventricular Function, Left