Concomitant Dual Intravascular and Subcutaneous Microsurgical Implantation of Xenograft Tissue in a Rodent Model for Evaluation of Structural Degeneration

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 735 - 740
• Main Authors: Ruzza, A, Vespignani, R, Khoynezhad, A, Berci, G, De Robertis, M, Trento, A, Czer, L.S.C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2013
• Subjects: Animals; Aorta, Abdominal - metabolism; Aorta, Abdominal - pathology; Aorta, Abdominal - surgery; Bioprosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation - instrumentation; Feasibility Studies; Fixatives; Glutaral; Microsurgery - instrumentation; Models, Animal; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew; Surgery; Suture Techniques; Time Factors; Tissue Fixation; Transplantation, Heterologous
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2012.06.061

Abstract Introduction An economical animal model to study xenograft tissue degeneration and calcification and the durability of biological vascular patch material and bioprosthetic valve leaflets is desirable. Objective A cost-effective model to analyze xenograft degeneration, calcification, immunologic reaction, and anticalcification treatment was developed. Furthermore, a technique for implant into the vascular lumen of the abdominal aorta in rats is presented. Methods Twelve Lewis rats were used as recipients. The microsurgical procedure was performed using a high-definition optical system. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with isoflurane inhalation. The suprarenal and infrarenal portion of the abdominal aorta was isolated, the abdominal aorta was cross-clamped, and a 4-mm square portion of the abdominal aorta was removed. Subsequently, a complementary-sized piece of porcine or bovine glutaraldehyde-fixed bioprosthetic valve leaflet tissue was sutured as a patch in the abdominal aorta. Results The mean operating time was 45 ± 10 minutes and the mean ischemic time was 25 ± 5 minutes. Early and 3-month survivals were 100%. One rat had intraoperative bleeding. No paralysis or thrombosis was observed. Conclusion Feasibility and reproducibility of removing a portion of the abdominal aorta and replacing it with a patch of xenograft tissue was demonstrated in a rodent model with 100% survival at 3 months. Concomitant dual intravascular and subcutaneous microsurgical implantation of xenograft tissue in a small-animal (rat) model is a cost-effective approach for investigation of xenograft tissue degeneration.