Abstract: AimTo establish a novel arrhythmia model in rats. MethodsCoronary artery occlusion was produced in hyperlipidemic rats after the animals were fed a high fat and cholesterol chow for 15 days. The incidence, duration and score of arrhythmias were determined 1 hour after coronary occlusion. Results The incidence, duration and score of arrhythmia induced by coronary artery occlusion increased significantly in hyperlipidemic rats compared with those in normal rats (P<0.05). In normal rats, pretreatment with amiodarone 60 mg·kg^-1 or verapamil 25 mg·kg^-1 3 days before coronary artery occlusion did not influence the incidence, duration and score of arrhythmia (P>0.05). In hyperlipidemic rats, amiodarone 60 mg·kg^-1 decreased the incidence, duration and score of arrhythmia (P<0.05), but not verapamil 25 mg·kg^-1 (P>0.05). ConclusionThe novel arrhythmia model induced by coronary artery occlusion in hyperlipidemic rats is reliable and similar to the pathophysiological state in human being.