Ligation Combined With Elastase-induced Aneurysm In Rabbit Animal Model And Correlation Analysis

ObjectiveThe present experimental study was performed in order to establish an appropriate aneurysm animal model by ligation to explore the superiority to the production of surgical suture aneurysm model, to explore the behavior of the aneurysm, to analyze the hemodynamic and histological characteristics of aneurysm model and to explore the application value.Materials and MethodsSixteen New Zealand white rabbits were used. In 10 animals, aneurysm models were created with ligation of the origin of the right carotid common artery, and the aneurysms were incubated with intraluminal elastase to induce degeneration of the elastic laminae. In the aneurysm creation procedure, the right common carotid artery (RCCA) origin was surgically exposed and temporarily occluded with a temporary aneurysm clip. The RCCA was ligated distally, and the trapped segment was infused with elastase for 20 minutes, after which the clip was removed.In 6 animals, control models were created with surgical suture of a artery segment of the left carotid common artery. In the control procedure, the bilateral common carotid arteries were surgically exposed. After left common carotid artery was ligated , a small artery segment was cut and sutured to the right common carotid artery.A total of 16 aneurysms were created. The animals were followed up with angiography 7 days and 30 days after the procedure. The 3 animals were sacrificed at various times, and histological evaluation of the aneurysm was performed.ResultsAll 10 aneurysms created by means of ligation showed a good filling and pulsation after the production. All 6 aneurysms created by means of surgical suture demonstrated the same result. DSA was performed on all 16 rabbits that underwent aneurysm creation procedures after 7 days of production.At the first angiography, all 10 aneurysm cavities created by means of ligation were angiographically patent. Widths of the cavities ranged from 3.5 to 4.0mm (mean, 3.7±0.16mm); heights ranged from 5.6 to 7.8 mm (mean, 6.53±0.65mm). Two aneurysm cavities of six surgical-suture-aneurysms were angiographically patent and the remaining aneurysm cavities created by means of surgical-suture were occluded. The patency rate was of 33.3%.At the second angiography, all 10 aneurysm cavities created by means of ligation were angiographically patent. Widths of the cavities ranged from 4.7 to 5.6mm (mean, 5.06±0.31mm); heights ranged from 8.5 to10.0mm (mean, 9.02±0.52mm). 2 aneurysms cavities created by means of surgical-suture were completely occluded.Pathology results indicated complete absence of internal elastic lamina and medial wall elastin of the aneurysm.ConclusionsThese results indicate that this kind of new aneurysm model produced by ligation has high patency rate and the characteristics of spontaneous growth and its morphology, histology and hemodynamics are similar with human intracranial aneurysms model. This method is simple and effective and has a very good practical value.