A Study on Development of Carotid Saccular Aneurysm of an Animal Model

Objective To develop a new carotid saccular aneurysm animal model in vivo and to study the factors about aneurysm growing.Methods New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 3 groups. Pancreatic elastase was diffused into arterial wall from adventitia surface to develop a saccular aneurysm. In Group A, the opposite side of carotid artery was ligatured; in Group B, no carotid artery was ligatured; and in Group C, the carotid artery on one side was ligatured to 70-80% extent at its proximal end.. The relation between hemodynamic stress and aneurysm growing was analyzed.Results It was proved by angiography that in Group A the rate of aneurysm formation was 100% on this side and 50%, on the ligatured side. The aneurysms were found at the site where external carotid artery began and also on the site where external carotid artery bifurcated/ In Group B, the rate of aneurysm formation was 50% at the above mentioned sites and in Group C, the rate was zero. All arteries of the experimental animals were found to be destroyed under histological examination.Conclusion Arterial saccular aneurysm model can be induced in rabbits by application of pancreatic elastase on the adventitial surface with efficiency and easiness The structural weakness in artery wall and hemodynamic stress changing are two very important factors in aneurysm growing.