Objective:To establish rat model of ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure by partially banding abdominal aorta for different time limits.Methods:60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups:A group which were ligated for 4 weeks;B group being ligated for 8 weeks;and sham-operated group (each containing 20 Wistar rats).Left and right ventricular mass index

hemodynamic parameters

cardiac morphological changes and the time of achieving heart failure model were investigated in different groups.Results:There were 16.67% heart failure rats in A group

while 73.68% in B group.The death of models occurred in the first week after experimental procedure.MBP and LVSP were increased greatly in A group

and HR

MBP

LVSP and ±dp/dt were decreased while LVEDP increased in B group compared with A and sham-operated groups( P <0.01～0.05).LVMI and RVMI were risen up by 16.9% and27.8%

19.8% and 40.7% respectively in A and B groups( P <0.01～0.05).No significant difference about ventricular mass index existed in A and B rats. Under optical microscope

turbulent cardiomyocytes

hypertrophic myocytes and thickoned small vessel wall were seen in experimental rats compared with sham-operated group.Conclusion:Hypertensive hypertrophy and heart failure model will be achieved by partially banding abdominal aorta for 4weeks

8 weeks

respectively.And the main reason of death of experimental rats may be operation stress.Ventricular remodelling

which exists in aortic banding rats

is prior to occurrence of heart failure.It is suggested that the therapy of reversing ventricular hypertrophy should be given as early as possible.