Initial study of left ventricular function after emergency myocardial contusion by dual source computed tomography in a pig model

The aim of our study was to investigate the irregularity changes of the left ventricular functional after emergency myocardial contusion in experimental pigs. 16 BAMA experimental pigs were selected and striked to establish myocardial contusion model. Vital signs of these pigs were conventionally monitored, and DSCT scanning were performed at time points before striking, post striking immediately, 2h, 4h and 8h after striking. The index included ejection fraction (EF), the wall thickness of left ventricle at the end of systole and diastole phase, and fraction shorting (FS). The data was analyzed by one way ANOVA. After severe myocardial contusion, the heart rate of pigs kept lower, the breathing frequency lower lightly. While the mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased immediately and increased gradually at 4h and 8h after myocardial contusion, the function of left ventricle changed obviously. The EF descended markedly, the descended rate was 18.8%, 21.3%, 16.74%, and5.3%, respectively. There is statistic difference between the 2h and that of before striking (P<0.05). The wall thickness of the left ventricle is different from others at 2h. DSCT is a very useful potential tool to evaluate the experimental myocardial contusion. Specially, the functional change of the left ventricule and the degree of injury of pigs could be assessed by DSCT after emergency myocardial contusion.