ObjectiveTo explore a quick and efficient surgical technique for establishing heterotopic abdominal heart transplantation model in rats. MethodsHeterotopic abdominal heart transplantation of rats was performed by using Ono’s method with modification. When donor heart stopped beating completely,the superior vena cava,inferior vena cava and pulmonary vein were ligated respectively with a 1/0 silk through aorta and pulmonary artery. After raising the silk and cutting all blood vessels,the donor heart was harvested. There were 20 donors and 20 recipients in experimental group (Wistar to SD rats) and control group (Wistar to Wistar rats) respectively. Over 72 hour-survival of the animal after operation was considered a successful operation. On day 4,the transplanted hearts were observed histopathologically. ResultsThe success rate of the operation was 90%. The donor heart harvesting time was(3.2±0.6)min. Acute rejection was observed in experiment group,and not in control group. ConclusionIn this technique,the donor heart harvesting time is reduced significantly compared with the current widely used Ono’s method. Wistar to SD rat heterotopic heart transplantation can establish the experimental animal model of immune rejection.