Catheterization of Ventral Caudal Artery in Rats: A Modified Technique for Repeatable Angiography and Intervention

Abstract

Background

The use of digital silhouette angiography (DSA) has been restricted due to lack of a technique that allows for repeated intra-arterial inspections over a prolonged period. Current studies are focused on the arteries that can be cannulated multiple times. We intended to develop and test a technique that would enable repeated performance of various catheterizations and transcatheter operations for a prolonged period, at the same site, with fewer postsurgical complications.

Methods

Thirty rats were randomly divided into five groups. Ventral caudal artery cannulation was performed via the transtail approach after grouping for subsequent experiments. Histological staining and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess endothelial injuries.

Results

The rats survived post catheterization of ventral caudal artery and establishment of animal models. The average time of ventral caudal artery cannulation was significantly shorter than that of the femoral (p < 0.01) and common carotid arteries (p < 0.01). In rats, the transtail artery technique effectively allowed selective arterial catheterization and angiography. Histological staining and scanning electron microscopy of the abdominal aorta revealed disruption of the intima and denuded wavy endothelial surface.

Conclusions

We describe a novel method for artery sheath catheterization through the ventral caudal artery in rats; it may be possible to perform serial DSA studies and interventional operations with a single sheath channel in rats over a prolonged period. We believe that this approach will improve the utility of rats as models of human diseases and enable the broader use of rodent models for endovascular therapy research.

Keywords:

• Catheterization technique
• caudal ventral artery
• angiography
• interventional operation
• animal model

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Author contribution statement

Qun Gao participated in study design, data collection, statistical analysis, and writing the manuscript draft. Shen Hu performed the DSA, data collection, and manuscript revision. Jingwen Fan participated in histologic staining, SEM, and statistical analysis. Daming Wang participated in study design, study supervision, data review, and manuscript revision. He is the guarantor. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) with No. 82071329.