title: Treatment of rabbit carotid aneurysms by hybrid stents (microporous thin polyurethane-covered stents): preservation of side-branches.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine the patency of normal arterial branches from the covered segments of an artery after stenting.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Most intracranial aneurysms occur at arterial branching points (bifurcations, side-branches, or perforators). The post-stenting patency of normal arterial branches from the covered segments of the artery is important. We have previously developed a hybrid stent with micropores to prevent early parent artery occlusion by more early endothelialization, and mid- to long-term parent artery stenosis by control of intimal hyperplasia after aneurysm occlusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  We created aneurysms in 10 rabbits by distal ligation and intraluminal incubation of elastase within an endovascularly trapped proximal segment of the common carotid artery. All animals were treated with hybrid stents having micropores. Four animals were observed for one month and three each for three and 12 months. The patency of the side-branches of the subclavian artery was evaluated angiographically and in some cases, histologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aneurysms were completely occluded at all time points other than 12 months. The subclavian artery and brachiocephalic artery were patent, without significant stenosis. All the side-branches of the subclavian artery detected on the preoperative angiogram remained patent at the final assessment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of hybrid stents for aneurysm repair and side-branch patency seems to be effective, as per the long-term results obtained in an animal model.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Neurosurgery, Neuro-Intervention, Spinal Surgery, Sapporo-Higashi Tokushukai Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishi
authors.forename: Yasuhide
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Hatsue
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishibashi-Ueda
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yonetani
mesh_terms: D000783:Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005260:Female; D011140:Polyurethanes; D011817:Rabbits; D015607:Stents
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011140:Polyurethanes
keywords: Aneurysm; endothelium; intimal hyperplasia; intravascular stent; polyurethane; porosity