Over the last 50 years, a vast amount of knowledge pertaining to the
structure and control mechanisms that govern function of the coronary
circulation has been obtained through experimental animal studies.
Indeed, studies in a variety of animal models have provided us with a
basic understanding of the major factors determining myocardial blood
flow and oxygen delivery and of the fluid mechanical behavior of a
coronary artery stenosis, and this knowledge has been successfully
incorporated in the management of patients with ischemic heart disease.
Nevertheless, there is concern that animal models have only limited
translational value for complex disease processes such as ischemic heart
disease. Understanding differences and limitations of disease models in
experimental animals is essential to further improve the translational
power of animal studies. Here we provide a brief review of the most
relevant important differences in coronary anatomy and physiology
between humans and experimental animals, as well as the benefits and
limitations of experimental animal models of ischemic heart disease.