ObjectiveTo improve and assess the method of establishing myocardial infarction model in New Zealand rabbits. MethodsA total of 60 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups:the left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated in a LAD group (n=30); the left circumflex coronary artery was ligated in a LC group (n=30). Electrocardiogram (ECG), ultrasound cardiogram (UCG), hemodynamics and histology procedures were performed to detect the changes of cardiac structure and function after myocardial infarction induced by LAD and LC ligation. ResultsSuccess rate of the LC group was significantly higher than that in the LAD group (P < 0.01), but the survival rate in the LC group was slightly lower than the LAD group (P < 0.05); ECG within 24 h and 1 week after surgery showed that the average values of ST segment elevation in the LC group were significantly higher than that in the LAD group (P < 0.05); UCG and hemodynamics results showed cardiac function in the LAD group did not decrease significantly (P > 0.05). In contrast, cardiac function in the LC group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Histopathologic analysis showed that the area of myocardial infarction in the LC group was significantly larger than that in the LAD group (P < 0.01). ConclusionThe myocardial infarction induced by the left circumflex coronary artery ligation is more consistent than that induced by the left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, suggesting that the former is a more appropriate experimental model for evaluations.