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Focal Cerebral Ischemia Model by Endovascular Suture Occlusion of the Middle Cerebral Artery in the Rat
Published on: February 5, 2011
Delayed decompressive craniectomy improves the long-term outcomes in hypertensive rats with space-occupying cerebral
Zhan Zhao1, Jian Yu, Songjie Liao
1Department of Neurology and Stroke Centre, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 58 Zhongshan Road 2, Guangzhou, 510080, PR China. Zhanzhao205@163.com
Insights
Decompressive craniectomy effectively reduces mortality and infarct volume in hypertensive rats with cerebral infarction. Both early and delayed surgeries show similar long-term benefits for neurological function.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Vascular Neurology
- Experimental Medicine
Background:
- Limited data exists on long-term decompressive craniectomy effects in hypertensive stroke models.
- Hypertensive rats with cerebral infarction present a relevant model for studying stroke interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term efficacy of decompressive craniectomy in a rat model of hypertensive cerebral infarction.
- To compare the outcomes of early versus delayed decompressive craniectomy after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).
Main Methods:
- 92 stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rats (RHRSP) underwent MCAO.
- Decompressive craniectomy was performed at 1 hour or 24 hours post-MCAO.
- Infarct volume, neurological performance, and mortality were assessed over 8 weeks.
Main Results:
- Mortality decreased significantly from 52.5% in controls to 7.7% (1h) and 23.1% (24h) post-craniectomy.
- All treated rats showed reduced infarct volume and improved neurological scores at 4-8 weeks.
- Early craniectomy was superior for short-term outcomes (1-2 weeks), but long-term results at 4-8 weeks were similar between early and delayed groups.
Conclusions:
- Decompressive craniectomy significantly improves outcomes in hypertensive rats with cerebral infarction.
- While early surgery offers short-term advantages, delayed craniectomy provides comparable long-term benefits.
- This study highlights the sustained therapeutic potential of decompressive craniectomy in this stroke model.
Background And Purpose:
No experimental data has been published on the long-term effects of decompressive craniotomy in hypertensive rats with space-occupying cerebral infarction. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of decompressive craniectomy in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of hypertensive rats in a prolonged period.
Methods:
Totally 92 stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rats (RHRSP) were subjected to left MCAO by an endovascular occlusion technique. The decompressive craniectomy was performed on 26 RHRSP at 1 and 24 h after MCAO, respectively. Infarct volume, neurological performance, and mortality were evaluated at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after MCAO.
Results:
The mortality was reduced from 52.5% in controls to 7.7% and 23.1% in the rats underwent craniectomy at 1 and 24 h after MCAO, respectively (P < 0.05, respectively). All of the treated rats presented smaller infarct volume from 1 week to 8 weeks and better neurological performance at 4-8 weeks after MCAO compared to the controls (P < 0.05, respectively). The craniectomy at early stage was more effective than that at late stage in reducing infarct volume and improving neurological performances at 1 and 2 weeks (P < 0.05, respectively). However, there was no significant difference in infarct volume and neurological scores between the treated groups of rats at 4 and 8 weeks after MCAO (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
Although the early craniectomy is more effective than delayed craniectomy in improving short-term outcome, the latter has the similar beneficial effects as early craniectomy on long-term outcome in hypertensive rats with space-occupying cerebral infarction.
