Endovascular Grafting in Elastase-induced Experimental Aortic Aneurysms in Dogs: Feasibility and Preliminary Results

A Rabbit Model of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Associated with Intimal Thickening

“…It should be noted that elastase is the most active around pH 9 [10], and active elastase at higher pH is necessary to dissolve elastin in the aorta of larger animals. In their canine model, low dose elastase did not induce an aneurysm, appropriate higher dose elastase led to an aneurysm, and too much elastase caused rupture of the aorta at pH 10 [21]. Their experiment clearly demonstrated that infusion of alkaline solution at pH 10 cannot cause aneurysm formation and that a higher dose of active elastase is necessary for the development of AAA.…”

“…In the rat model of Anidjar et al [3], pancreatic elastase was used at pH 7 [3]. However, Boudghène et al [21] used elastase at pH 10 in a canine model of aortic aneurysm. It should be noted that elastase is the most active around pH 9 [10], and active elastase at higher pH is necessary to dissolve elastin in the aorta of larger animals.…”

The effect of proteolytic treatment on plastic deformation of porcine aortic tissue

“…There has been only one report of similar success in large animals. Boudghene et al (1993) reported successfully inducing a small dilation in dog abdominal aorta in vivo using the elastase perfusion method for the purpose of testing endovascular grafts. Similar attempts in other animals have not been successful (Marinov et al, 1997).…”

Animal Models of Aneurysms

“…108 Finally, the model has been used in larger animals, such as dogs, to facilitate learning endovascular treatment methods. 109 …”