ObjectiveTo compare the difference of two heart failure models established by constriction of aortic arch and abdominal aorta, and to explore an effective method to establish an animal model of heart failure. MethodsNinety healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups. The rats in the group 1 had cervical operation to contract the aortic arch, the rats in the group 2 were operated on abdomen to contract the abdominal aorta, and the rats in the group C had surgery but no aorta constriction. All the rats were fed for 4 or 6 weeks. The heart function of the rats was detected with ultrasound and heart intubation. ResultsAt 4 weeks after constriction, ultrasonic results showed a significant increase of the left ventricular wall thickness and internal diameter of the left ventriclular cavity in the aortic arch constriction group, and not significantly increased in the abdominal aorta constriction group, compared with those of the control group. At 6 weeks after constriction, both the left ventriclular wall thickness and internal diameter of the left ventricle were significantly increased in the abdominal aorta constriction group, while only the internal diameter of the left ventricle was significantly increased and without change of the left ventriclular wall thickmess in the aortic arch constriction group. Hemodynamic detection showed that LVESP, LVEDP, LVDP and ±dp/dtmax in the aortic arch constriction group were significantly lower than those of the abdominal aorta constriction group at 6 weeks after contraction. ConclusionThe progression of heart failure caused by aortic arch constriction in the rats occurs obviously faster than that developed after abdominal aorta constricction.