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Updated: Jan 7, 2026
Murine Model of Thoracic Aortic Dissection Induced by Oral β-Aminopropionitrile and Subcutaneous Angiotensin II Infusion
Published on: May 16, 2025
Development and Validation of an Acute Large Animal Model for Type A Aortic Dissection
Ezin Deniz1, Sibylle Marsen1, Florian Helms1
1Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
Background:
Animal models are essential for translating diagnostic and therapeutic strategies into clinical practice and offer valuable insights into the pathophysiology of diseases such as aortic dissection. This study presents a novel acute in vivo large animal model of Stanford type A aortic dissection, combining open surgical access with endovascular techniques to leverage the advantages of both. The model aims to reproducibly simulate acute dissections in swine, providing a standardized platform for evaluating diagnostics, disease mechanisms, and treatment strategies.
Methods:
Six pigs underwent a standardized protocol to induce aortic dissection. Arterial pressure was monitored via femoral and carotid catheterization. A conventional sternotomy was performed, followed by tangential cross-clamping of the ascending aorta and a controlled incision proximal to the brachiocephalic trunk. The intima and the media were separated using a guidewire and catheter-based technique to create a false lumen. A re-entry tear was also established to allow for controlled intraluminal access. Animals were monitored for 12 h post-intervention, with serial blood sampling. At the end of the experiment, the animals were euthanized and the aortas harvested for macroscopic and histological analysis.
Results:
In all 6 animals, the placement of arterial catheters in femoral and carotid arteries, as well as the sternotomy, was established without any complications. The dissection model was successfully created in 5 out of 6 animals by clinical signs such as adventitial hematoma, macroscopic wall separation and/or decreased femoral blood pressure. One animal experienced complete aortic perforation. Five animals completed the full observation period of 12 h.
Conclusion:
A standardized, reproducible, and robust large animal model of acute Stanford type A aortic dissection using a hybrid approach was developed. This model closely simulates the clinical and pathological features of human aortic dissection, making it a valuable tool for preclinical research in diagnostics, pathophysiology, and treatment development.
