Long-term patency of complex bilobular, bisaccular, and broad-neck aneurysms in the rabbit microsurgical venous pouch bifurcation model.
OBJECTIVE
In experimental aneurysm models, long-term patency without spontaneous thrombosis is the most important precondition for analyses of embolization devices. We recently reported the feasibility of creating complex venous pouch bifurcation aneurysms in the rabbit with low morbidity, low mortality, and high short-term aneurysm patency. In order to further evaluate our model, we examined the long-term patency rate.


METHODS
Various sizes of complex bilobular, bisaccular, and broad-neck venous pouch aneurysms were surgically formed at an artificially created bifurcation of both common carotid arteries in 17 rabbits. Early aggressive anticoagulation was continued for 1 month. The rabbits were followed up using contrast-enhanced three-dimensional 1.5-T magnetic resonance angiography (CE-3D-MRA) at 1 month and up to 1 year after creation of the bifurcation.


RESULTS
At 1-month follow-up, all but one of the created aneurysms and all parent vessels proved to be patent. Three animals (18%) were lost during follow-up for reasons unrelated to aneurysm surgery. At 1-year follow-up, one animal showed partial and one complete spontaneous aneurysm thrombosis (aneurysm patency rate: 86%). Six out of 42 parent vessels were occluded at that time (vessel patency rate: 86%).


CONCLUSIONS
Complex bilobular, bisaccular, and broad-neck microsurgical aneurysm formation in the rabbit bifurcation model demonstrates a high long-term patency rate but is complicated by high rates of unrelated procedural mortality and morbidity. There is no need for prolonged (>4 weeks) anticoagulation to achieve good long-term patency in complex venous pouch bifurcation aneurysms.
Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Switzerland. serge.marbacher@ksa.ch
Serge
S
Marbacher
Ilhan
I
Tastan
Volker
V
Neuschmelting
Salome
S
Erhardt
Daniel
D
Coluccia
Camillo
C
Sherif
Luca
L
Remonda
Javier
J
Fandino
D000818:Animals; D002339:Carotid Arteries; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D057510:Endovascular Procedures; D005260:Female; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm; D011817:Rabbits; D014654:Vascular Patency