Wanderer Stefan, von Gunten Michael, Casoni Daniela, Di Santo Stefano, Konczalla Jürgen, Fathi Ali-Reza
Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital Aarau, 5001 Aarau, Switzerland.
Program for Regenerative Neuroscience, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland.
Brain Sci. 2025 Jul 31;15(8):826. doi: 10.3390/brainsci15080826.
Given the impact of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) on patients' health, preclinical research is substantial to understand its pathophysiology and improve treatment strategies, which necessitates reliable and comprehensive animal models. Traditionally, aSAH models utilize iliac or subclavian access for angiography, requiring invasive procedures that are associated with significant risks and animal burden. This pilot study explores a less invasive method of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) by using the auricular artery (AA) as an alternative access point. Our aim was to demonstrate the feasibility of this refined technique, with the intention of reducing procedural risks, providing shorter operation times with enhanced neurological recovery, and simplifying the process for both researchers and animals.
In this study, six female New Zealand white rabbits (3.2-4.1 kg body weight) underwent experimental induction of aSAH via a subclavian-cisternal shunt. The initial steps of this procedure followed traditional techniques, consisting of subclavian access through microsurgical preparation, followed by DSA to analyze retrograde filling of the basilar artery (BA). To evaluate the alternative method, on day 3 after induction of aSAH, DSA was performed via the AA instead of the traditional subclavian or femoral access. A catheter was placed in the AA to allow retrograde filling of the BA. This approach aimed to simplify the procedure while maintaining comparable imaging quality.
All rabbits survived until the study endpoint. Postoperatively, two rabbits showed signs of hemisyndrome, which significantly improved by the time of follow-up. No additional morbidities were observed. Upon euthanasia and necropsy, all animals showed clear subarachnoid bleeding patterns. DSA via the AA produced strong contrasting of the BA comparable to the traditional method.
This technical note presents an initial evaluation of AA access as a feasible and potentially advantageous method for DSA in a rabbit model of blood shunt subarachnoid hemorrhage. The method shows promise in reducing invasiveness and procedural complexity, but further studies are required to fully establish its efficacy and safety. Future research should focus on expanding the sample size, refining the anatomical understanding of the AA, and continuing to align with ethical considerations regarding animal welfare.
鉴于动脉瘤性蛛网膜下腔出血（aSAH）对患者健康的影响，临床前研究对于理解其病理生理学和改进治疗策略至关重要，这需要可靠且全面的动物模型。传统上，aSAH模型利用髂动脉或锁骨下动脉进行血管造影，需要侵入性操作，这些操作伴随着重大风险和动物负担。这项初步研究探索了一种侵入性较小的数字减影血管造影（DSA）方法，即使用耳动脉（AA）作为替代接入点。我们的目的是证明这种改进技术的可行性，旨在降低操作风险，提供更短的手术时间并促进神经功能恢复，同时简化研究人员和动物的操作流程。
在本研究中，六只雌性新西兰白兔（体重3.2 - 4.1千克）通过锁骨下 - 脑池分流术进行aSAH的实验诱导。该操作的初始步骤遵循传统技术，包括通过显微外科准备进行锁骨下动脉接入，随后进行DSA以分析基底动脉（BA）的逆行充盈情况。为了评估替代方法，在aSAH诱导后的第3天，通过AA而非传统的锁骨下或股动脉接入进行DSA。将导管置于AA中以实现BA的逆行充盈。该方法旨在简化操作，同时保持可比的成像质量。
所有兔子均存活至研究终点。术后，两只兔子出现偏瘫综合征迹象，在随访时明显改善。未观察到其他并发症。在安乐死和尸检时，所有动物均显示出明显的蛛网膜下腔出血模式。通过AA进行的DSA对BA产生的对比度与传统方法相当。
本技术说明对AA接入作为兔血液分流性蛛网膜下腔出血模型中DSA的一种可行且潜在有利的方法进行了初步评估。该方法在降低侵入性和操作复杂性方面显示出前景，但需要进一步研究以充分确立其有效性和安全性。未来的研究应侧重于扩大样本量，完善对AA的解剖学理解，并继续符合关于动物福利的伦理考量。
