Anat Cell Biol.  2010 Jun;43(2):118-124. 10.5115/acb.2010.43.2.118.

Assessment of experimental saccular aneurysm using selective angiography in common carotid artery of rabbits

• Chang DW
• Kim BK
• Shin JH
• Yoon YM
• Oh SH
• Yoon YS
• Hong SH
• Lee KC
• Lee YW
• Seo KM
• Kweon OK
• Yoon JH
• Shin NS
• Lee KH
• Suh JG
• Seong JK

• KMID: 2168884
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5115/acb.2010.43.2.118

Abstract

In order to study the treatment of aneurysms, the technique of making experimental aneurysms in laboratory animals must be established. In our study, to examine the feasibility of making experimental aneurysm and selective angiography on the common carotid artery in rabbits and to determine the size of experimental aneurysm after surgery, saccular aneurysms were fashioned on the right common carotid artery in 17 rabbits using a vein pouch technique. Selective angiography of the common carotid artery was performed immediately after surgery, and at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after surgery. Also, histological changes in the aneurysms were observed. In 16 rabbits with established successful experimental aneurysm, no differences were found in diet intake and behavior before and after surgery. The patency of the carotid artery was confirmed by selective angiography. The average size of the aneurysm immediately after surgery was similar to that of 1 week postoperatively in selective angiography, however it increased with time at 4weeks and 8 weeks. Histologically, infiltration of inflammatory cells and hemorrhage were found at the junction of the carotid artery and the vein pouch at 1 week, which disappeared at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. This study suggests experimental saccular aneurysm using the vein pouch technique might form aneurysms similar to that of the human in its properties such as increment of size, and selective angiography might be suitable for assessment of experimental aneurysm. Therefore, this animal model may be suitable for investigating new treatment methodologies for human aneurysms.

Keyword

Rabbit; saccular aneurysm; selective angiogram

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm
Angiography
Animals, Laboratory
Carotid Arteries
Carotid Artery, Common
Diet
Hemorrhage
Humans
Models, Animal
Rabbits
Veins

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Illustration of creating sacullar aneurysm (A, B) and saccular aneurysm sewn onto the right common carotid artery (CCA) (C). The vein pouch is separated from the external jugular vein (EJV) (A). Then, after a transverse incision is made at the cervical region of the carotid artery, the vein pouch (VP) is sewn onto the common carotid artery with interrupted sutures. VP was attached to CCA (C).

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  Fig. 2 Angiography of demonstrating aneurysm at 1 week (A) and 8 weeks after surgery (B). Contrast being injected, common carotid artery (CCA) was opacified with aneurysm (An). Note the size of aneurysm increased with time compared to that of endotracheal tube (5 mm, ET).

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  Fig. 3 Changes in aneurysm width determined by angiography. The width of aneurysm was significantly increased at 4 weeks and 8 weeks, respectively, compared to immediately after surgery.

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  Fig. 4 (A) The gross findings of aneurysm 4 weeks after surgery. The surrounding tissue was dislocated by the aneurysm (black arrows) attached to common carotid artery (white arrows). (B) The cross-section view of aneurysm. There was a patent aneurysmal orifice (white arrow) in the aneurysm (black arrows).

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  Fig. 5 Histologic finding of aneurysm 4 weeks after surgery. (A) Aneurysm (An) was attached to common carotid artery (CCA) (×10). (B, D) Junction of common carotid artery and aneurysm. Suture material (black arrow) was shown (×40). (C) Aneurysm wall. There was a mild infiltration of neutrophils and fibrosis (×40).

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