Elastase-induced aneurysms in rabbits: effect of postconstruction geometry on final size

Area of Science:

• Vascular biology and endovascular research
• Animal models for cardiovascular disease

Background:

• Elastase-induced aneurysms in rabbits are a standard model for studying endovascular treatments.
• Significant variability exists in the size and shape of these experimentally created aneurysms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if immediate post-induction geometry can predict the final morphology of elastase-induced aneurysms.
• To establish predictive markers for aneurysm dimensions in a rabbit model.

Main Methods:

• Thirty New Zealand white rabbits underwent elastase incubation at the right common carotid artery (CCA) origin.
• Aneurysm maturation was assessed over 3 weeks using digital subtraction angiography.
• Measurements included neck diameter, dome height, aneurysm diameter, and the angle between the parent artery and aneurysm neck axis, correlated with immediate post-induction geometry.

Main Results:

• Immediate CCA origin diameter positively correlated with mature aneurysm neck size (P < .01).
• Aneurysm neck dimensions at creation and 3 weeks correlated with final dome height (P < .05).
• Dome height related to the angle between the innominate artery and aneurysm neck axis for specific dome-to-neck ratios (P < .05).

Conclusions:

• Immediate neck width and parent artery curvature are significant predictors of final aneurysm dimensions.
• Aneurysm size may be predictable on the day of creation, refining the utility of this animal model.