American Journal of Neuroradiology
DOI 10.3174/ajnr.A1853
RESEARCH PERSPECTIVES
In Vivo Experimental Intracranial Aneurysm Models: A Systematic Review
From the Research Center (F.B., O.N., J.R.), Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Notre-Dame Hospital, Montreal, Québec, Canada; Université Paris-Descartes (O.N.), INSERM U894 Paris, France; Department of Radiology (D.F.K.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota; and Center for Endovascular Surgery (A.B.), Beth Israel Hyman-Newman Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Roosevelt Hospital, New York, New York.
Please address correspondence to Jean Raymond, MD, Interventional Neuroradiology Research Laboratory, CHUM Research Center-Notre-Dame Hospital, 1560 Sherbrooke East Pavillon Simard, Ste Z12909, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H2L 4M1; e-mail: dr_jean_raymond{at}hotmail.com
SUMMARY: Animal models are necessary to develop and test innovations in aneurysm therapy before clinical introduction. This review aims at identifying the most likely candidates for standardizing preclinical testing of aneurysm devices. We systematically searched electronic databases for publications on animal aneurysm models from 1961–2008 to assess the methodologic quality of the studies and collect data on the patency and angiographic and pathologic outcomes of treatments. There has been a steady increase in the annual number of publications with time. Species that were most frequently used were dogs, rabbits, and rodents, followed by swine. Most publications are single-laboratory studies with variables and poorly validated outcome measures, a small number of subjects, and limited standardization of techniques. The most appropriate models to test for recurrences after endovascular occlusion were the surgical bifurcation model in dogs, and the elastase-induced aneurysm model in rabbits. A standardized multicenter study is needed to improve the preclinical evaluation of endovascular devices in aneurysm therapy.
Abbreviations: w, width