Experimental models of heart failure can be used to address specific questions not easily answered in patients. However, no single model can reproduce exactly any of the clinical syndromes of heart failure. A number of animal models that mimic heart failure exits will be discussed in this special issue. Besides some naturally occuring models, heart failure can be induced by acute or chronic coronary occlusion, coronary artery embolization, pressure overload (transverse aortic constriction), and volume overload (induction of arteriovenous shunts). Additional models include the induction of heart failure by applying toxic agents or viral infection. Recently, genetically manipulated animals that develop heart failure are getting more and more common and becoming important.

Experimental models of myocardial infarction or destruction are likely to be the most suitable for assessing novel therapy provided that peripheral reflexes are maintained. However, experimental heart failure models are especially useful in the study of ventricular hypertrophy, cellular derangements, vascular changes, and hormone and electrolyte disturbances.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will help in understanding the pathology and hemodynamic effects in various experimental models mimicing different entities of heart failure. Both experimental and theoretical papers are welcome.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Identification of novel experimental right and left ventricular heart failure models and their translation into the clinical setting
• Experimental models for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and diastolic dysfunction and their translation to its clinical syndrome
• Gender-specific impact in experimental heart failure models in different species
• Genetic-induced heart failure models in different species
• Hemodynamic characterization under basal and stress-induced conditions (e.g., echocardiography, conductance catheter technique, and MRI) and its methodical accuracy in heart failure models
• Aging-related experimental heart failure models and their impact on myocardial fibrosis and aging-related pathways
• Strategies in planning a valuable experimental study design