Variable phenotype in murine transverse aortic constriction.

Background: In mice, transverse aortic constriction (TAC) is variably characterized as a model of pressure overload-induced hypertrophy (left ventricular [LV] hypertrophy, or LVH) or heart failure (HF). While commonly used, variability in the TAC model is poorly defined. The objectives of this study were to characterize the variability in the TAC model and to define a simple, noninvasive method of prospectively identifying mice with HF versus compensated LVH after TAC.