Abstract: Objective To establish animal model of heart failure induced by volume plus pressure overload in rabbits. Methods Twenty-two rabbits were divided into two groups： 11 rabbits with heart failure and 11 sham-operated animals. We first obtained a volume overload by creation of an aortic insufficiency, which was followed 14 days later by pressure overload induced by constricting the abdominal aorta. The homodynamic parameters and cardiac structure and function were detected via catheterization and echocardiography respectively 6 weeks later. Results （1）Aortic systolic pressure, pulse pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure of heart failure rabbits were significantly increased compared with sham-operated rabbits （P＜0.01）. （2）The left atria diameter, left inter-ventricular septum, left ventricular end diastolic and systolic diameter were also increased markedly in heart failure rabbits, but their ejection fraction and left ventricular shorten fraction were decreased （P＜0.01）. （3）In heart failure rabbits, the ratio of left ventricular mass and pulmonary mass to body weight were higher than that in sham-operated rabbits （P＜0.01）. Conclusion Animal model of heart failure were established by volume plus pressure overload in rabbits successfully, with short time, better repetition and higher rate of success, according with the development of human heart failure.

Key words: Heart failure, Animal model, Pressure overload, Volume overload