title: Concomitant dual intravascular and subcutaneous microsurgical implantation of xenograft tissue in a rodent model for evaluation of structural degeneration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An economical animal model to study xenograft tissue degeneration and calcification and the durability of biological vascular patch material and bioprosthetic valve leaflets is desirable.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A cost-effective model to analyze xenograft degeneration, calcification, immunologic reaction, and anticalcification treatment was developed. Furthermore, a technique for implant into the vascular lumen of the abdominal aorta in rats is presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve Lewis rats were used as recipients. The microsurgical procedure was performed using a high-definition optical system. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with isoflurane inhalation. The suprarenal and infrarenal portion of the abdominal aorta was isolated, the abdominal aorta was cross-clamped, and a 4-mm square portion of the abdominal aorta was removed. Subsequently, a complementary-sized piece of porcine or bovine glutaraldehyde-fixed bioprosthetic valve leaflet tissue was sutured as a patch in the abdominal aorta.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean operating time was 45 ± 10 minutes and the mean ischemic time was 25 ± 5 minutes. Early and 3-month survivals were 100%. One rat had intraoperative bleeding. No paralysis or thrombosis was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Feasibility and reproducibility of removing a portion of the abdominal aorta and replacing it with a patch of xenograft tissue was demonstrated in a rodent model with 100% survival at 3 months. Concomitant dual intravascular and subcutaneous microsurgical implantation of xenograft tissue in a small-animal (rat) model is a cost-effective approach for investigation of xenograft tissue degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, the Comprehensive Transplant Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruzza
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vespignani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khoynezhad
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Berci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Robertis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trento
authors.forename: L S C
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Czer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005404:Fixatives; D005976:Glutaral; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013997:Time Factors; D016707:Tissue Fixation; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
chemical_list: D005404:Fixatives; D005976:Glutaral