Annie Bouchard loves science. If you can manage to squeeze some talking time between her work in the lab, leading her team, writing study reports or researching protocols, it’s always the discipline of providing empirical evidence that shines through. “I love that we are practicing good science every day,” she says before cutting lunch short to return to the lab.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy induced by trans-aortic banding (pressure overload)
Purpose
Heart failure results from pressure overload.
LV hypertrophy
Dilation, some fibrosis after 4-6 weeks
Decreased cardiac output associated with reduced fractional shortening, decreased ejection volume, and decreased function with increased volume (dilation).
Detectable within 5-7 days post-banding.
Method
Surgical partial ligation of aorta with approx. 20-30% remaining blood flow in juvenile animals (they grow into the banding)
4-6 weeks of banding necessary for full LV remodeling
Study outcome
Cardiac echography (ultrasound)
Biomarkers (troponins, NT-Pro-BNP)
Invasive hemodynamics (BP, HR, ECG, PV loops)
Histology
Species
Juvenile animals (mice, rats, sheep, pigs)
Annie Bouchard
Study Director
