Vascular anatomic variation in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the vascular anatomic variation along the aortic arch in New Zealand White rabbits with the goal of highlighting potential anatomic configurations that might be encountered in the performance of preclinical endovascular research in rabbits.


METHODS
Digital subtraction angiography images of the brachiocephalic artery (BCA) and aortic arch in New Zealand White rabbits were obtained after creation of elastase-induced aneurysms at the origin of the right common carotid artery (RCCA) in 214 animals. The patterns of origin of the RCCA and left common carotid artery (LCCA), right subclavian artery (RSCA) and left subclavian artery (LSCA), and right vertebral artery (RVA) and left vertebral artery (LVA) were analyzed.


RESULTS
Five predominant variations of vessel origin were identified. In 200 of 214 cases (93%), the LCCA originated from the bifurcation of the BCA and aorta. In eight cases (4%), the LCCA directly originated from the aorta. In two cases (1%), the LCCA originated from the BCA. Aberrant RSCA anatomy in which the RSCA originated from the aortic arch instead of the BCA was found in three cases (1.5%). In a single case (0.5%), aberrant RSCA anatomy with the RVA originating from the BCA was encountered.


CONCLUSIONS
Anatomic variation of the BCA in New Zealand White rabbits is similar to that seen in humans. Understanding of the normal and variant anatomy of the rabbit will aid investigators who use the rabbit model for endovascular research.
Ding
Yong Hong
YH
Neuroradiology Research Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Southwest, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Dai
Daying
D
Layton
Kennith F
KF
Lewis
Debra A
DA
Danielson
Mark A
MA
Kadirvel
Ramanathan
R
Cloft
Harry J
HJ
Kallmes
David F
DF
D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D000818:Animals; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D011817:Rabbits; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D010196:Pancreatic Elastase