Objective To develop a myocardial infarction model in rabbits without endotracheal intubation.  Methods A total of 15 Chinese rabbits of both sexes and （2.18±0.19）kg in weight were subjected. The sternum was carefully incised along the midline to avoid injury to the parietal pleura without endotracheal intubation. The major branch of the left coronary artery of 10 rabbits used as coronary artery ligation group was then ligated. Five rabbits with sham ligating the coronary artery were used as control. After 4 weeks

cardiac functional analyses by noradrenalin challenge and histopathological analyses were performed.  Results Compared with the coronary artery sham-ligation group

the coronary artery ligation group all presented to myocard

ial infarction through ECG and histologic characteristics. Cardiac functional analyses by noradrenalin after 4 weeks showed the parameters on cardiac systolic function in the coronary artery ligation group got worse significantly

that is to say LVSP and +dp/dt

max

increased

while t-dp/dt

max

shorten. Meanwhile

cardiac diastolic function got worse significantly. LVEDP rose

and -dp/dt

max

dropped.  Conclusion A new method established a chronic rabbit model of myocardial infarction without the need for endotracheal intubation.