Objective   To evaluate the effect of seawater immersion on acute heart failure in dogs with open abdominal wound and establish a relevant experimental model.   Methods   Sixteen health dogs were divided randomly into 2 groups

control group (n=8

) only having abdominal wound

and seawater immersion group (n=8) while abdominal wound was followed by seawater immersion. Mean artery pressure (MAP)

pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP)

central vein pressure (CVP) and cardiac output (CO) were measured and blood samples were taken at different time intervals to determine K

+

Na

+

Cl

－

blood gas

BNP and TNF-α levels. Doppler echocardiography was performed to measure the left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV)

left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV)

stroke volume (SV)

and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) respectively.   Results   In seawater immersion group

MAP

CVP and CO were decreased after immersion. Compared with control group

LVESV

SV and LVEF were decreased and plasma levels of K

+

Na

+

Cl

－

brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)

TNF-α were increased significantly in seawater immersion group (P0.05). In seawater immersion group

acidosis was aggravated gradually. pH value and HCO

3

-

were decreased significantly compared with control group (P0.05).   Conclusion   Seawater immersion is a significant factor of acute heart failure in dogs with open abdominal wound.