title: Neurological deficits associated with the elastase-induced aneurysm model in rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although the rabbit elastase-induced aneurysm model is currently used widely for endovascular research and device testing, procedural causes leading to animal morbidity and mortality have not yet been clearly described. We conducted a retrospective study to analyse factors contributing to neurological deficits in rabbits that underwent the elastase-induced aneurysm creation procedure at our research center from 2002 to 2005 in order to improve the technique and reduce procedure-related morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total sample of 38 animals that underwent the procedure under the same conditions was analysed in two groups: animals that presented neurological deficits (ND, n=15) and animals that were neurological deficit free (NDF, n=23). Data were collected by reviewing the animal records and radiographic images from the procedures. Statistical analyses using the Mann-Whitney test, unpaired t-test with Welch correction and Fisher's exact tests were performed to compare the two groups based on variables associated with endothelial injury and activation of the coagulation cascade.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The variables of animal weight (signifying state of health of the animal), total procedure time, total balloon occlusion time and clot formation were found to be significantly and/or very significantly correlated to ND presentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Successful creation of the rabbit elastase-induced aneurysm model depends on careful control over several technical details. Important variables governing outcome have been identified here. A specific, improved endovascular arrangement that facilitates maneuvering of the devices and reduces the risk of air emboli is presented.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA. LCesar@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cesar
authors.forename: Laszlo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miskolczi
authors.forename: Baruch B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Lieber
authors.forename: Chander
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sadasivan
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gounis
authors.forename: Ajay K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Wakhloo
mesh_terms: D000783:Aneurysm / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D011817:Rabbits; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010196:Pancreatic Elastase