The heterotopic heart transplantation in mice as a small animal model to study mechanical unloading - Establishment of the procedure, perioperative management and postoperative scoring.

Abdominal hHTX in the mouse may enable future examination of specific pathways in unloading induced myocardial remodeling. Establishment of the technique, however, is challenging. Structured training programs utilising a variety of training methods can help to expedite the process. Postoperative management, including daily scoring increases animal wellbeing and helps to predict survival.