Abstract: AIM To explore the method to establish an animal model of myocardial infarction with ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and the method to evaluate it. METHODS Twenty normal Chinese miniswine underwent thoracotomy under general anesthesia. The LAD was obstructed for 15 minutes and then was ligated at the opening of the second diagonal branch. Acute myocardial infarction was confirmed by electrocardiogram, angiography and serum myocardial zymogram examination. Hemodynamics was assessed by TIMI-FG and 13N-NH3 PET. RESULTS Of the 20 animals, 16 survived for 4 weeks, one died of anesthesia accident and three died of aspiration failure after operation. EKG displayed continuous elevated ST and pathologic Q wave after ligation. Serum myocardial zymogram showed that creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin-I (CTn-I) increased 24 hours after operation and were significantly different compared with those before operation (P<0. 01). CAG showed that the blood flow under the second branch of LAD was interrupted. TIMI-FG and D/E(%) after operation was significantly different compared with that before operation. CONCLUSION The surgical procedure has a high success rate. The hymodynamics assessment can be used to measure the blood flow of the coronary artery and to evaluate the treatment effect of myocardial infarction.