A triple bifurcation aneurysm model for evaluating complex endovascular therapies in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
Animal aneurysm models are required for the study of the hemodynamics and pathophysiology of intracranial aneurysms in humans and so that experimental treatments can be tested prior to clinical trials. The authors developed a canine model that consistently produces up to three bifurcation aneurysms similar in morphological features and hemodynamics to human intracranial aneurysms.


METHODS
In 10 mongrel dogs, a harvested segment of the external jugular vein was anastamosed to an external carotid artery (CA)-lingual artery bifurcation arteriotomy site to create a lateral bifurcation aneurysm. The surgery was repeated on the contralateral side in each animal to form a second lateral bifurcation aneurysm and, in five dogs, a CA-CA crossover anastomosis was also performed to create a terminal bifurcation aneurysm. Nineteen of 20 lateral bifurcation aneurysms were confirmed in 10 dogs by diagnostic angiography 7 to 14 days after surgery. Aneurysm fundus-to-neck ratios ranged from 1 to 2, depending on the size of the arteriotomy. The terminal bifurcation aneurysms were confirmed in all five dogs by diagnostic angiography 7 to 14 days after the procedure. The authors later tested endovascular techniques for embolizing the aneurysms.


CONCLUSIONS
Three bifurcation aneurysms of sufficient size for endovascular access can be created in a reproducible fashion in the same animal. This model is useful for studying complex endovascular procedures in aneurysms that mimic the human condition and for testing new devices and techniques.
Boulos
Alan S
AS
Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Albany Medical Center, Albany, New York 12208, USA. boulosa@mail.amc.edu
Deshaies
Eric M
EM
Fessler
Richard D
RD
Aketa
Shuta
S
Standard
Scott
S
Miskolczi
Lazlo
L
Guterman
Lee R
LR
Hopkins
L Nelson
LN
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000628:therapy* / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002342:Carotid Artery, External; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D006439:Hemodynamics; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000628:therapy* / Q000662:veterinary*