A Canine Model of Proximal Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Created with an Autologous Pericardial Patch

Objectives: To establish an animal model of proximal descending thoracic aortic aneurysm for the study of branched stent grafts. Materials and Methods: Eleven mongrel dogs underwent the surgical procedure during which an autologous pericardial patch was sewn onto a longitudinal incision in the anterolateral wall of the thoracic aorta near the left subclavian artery to create an artificial thoracic aortic aneurysm. Results: All eleven animals survived the surgical procedure. One animal died from rupture at the surgical site during the first week after surgery. The distance between the artificial aneurysm and the left subclavian artery was 8.29 +/- 0.91 mm. The average diameter of the artificial aneurysms did not significantly change over the 4-month follow-up period. Conclusion: A canine model for proximal descending thoracic aortic aneurysm can be achieved using a safe and convenient method. The model can be used in the study of new branched stent graft applied to the aortic arch.