Related Experiment Videos
Macroporous polyester-covered stent in an experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm model
P Soula1, B Janne d'Othée, P Otal
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Hôpital de Rangueil, Toulouse, France.
Summary
This study validated an animal model for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and tested a new stent graft. While feasible, the stent graft did not immediately exclude the AAA, and early rupture occurred in the model.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- Animal Models
Background:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains a significant cause of mortality.
- Developing reliable animal models is crucial for testing new endovascular repair strategies.
- A novel macroporous polyester-covered nitinol stent was developed for AAA exclusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate a sheep model of surgically induced abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
- To assess the efficacy of a new macroporous polyester-covered stent for endovascular AAA exclusion.
Main Methods:
- Surgically created AAAs in 20 adult sheep using autologous venous grafts.
- Percutaneous implantation of nitinol stent-grafts in surviving animals.
- Control group with untreated AAAs.
- Follow-up via CT and angiography; gross and microscopic examination of specimens.
Main Results:
- High early mortality (35%) related to surgical technique.
- Spontaneous AAA rupture occurred in 25% of animals within 10 days.
- Stent-graft implantation was feasible, achieving aneurysm exclusion by 1 month, though initial perfusion persisted.
Conclusions:
- The sheep AAA model exhibited earlier and less frequent spontaneous rupture than previously reported.
- Endovascular stent-graft implantation was technically feasible.
- Immediate and complete aneurysm exclusion was not achieved with the tested stent-graft.