Animal models of cardiac disease: Potential usefulness for studying healtheffects of inhaled particles

Cardiac disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality world wide and is the leading cause of death in the United States. Epidemiologic studies have shown a close association between morbidity and mortality from cardiac disease, primarily in persons already affected, and with modest in creases in levels of air pollution. At present, no mechanisms are known by which inhaled air pollutants interact with the heart to cause death. Thus, animal models of cardiac disease are needed to study possible interactions between inhaled pollutants and the heart and the resultant morbidity and mo rtality. Very little research in animals has been conducted in this area, a nd appropriate animal models must be carefully selected. The purpose of thi s review is to examine several potential animal models and to discuss their advantages and disadvantages in the study of cardiac disease and air pollu tion.