Haemodynamic Effect on the Growth of Experimentally Induced Saccular Aneurysms in Rats

OBJECTIVE Haemodynamic stress has been considered to be an important factor in aneurysm formation and growth. The aim of this study was to reveal the effect of salt induced hypertension on the experimental saccular aneurysm model MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes in equal number were used in this study. Under general anesthesia with ketamine hydrochloride (Ketalar, Parke-Davis, England), a linear arteriotomy of the right carotid artery was performed in all rats. Transluminally a tunica intima and media defect at the arterial bifurcation was made under the microscope and the wound was closed after arteriotomy. They were divided into four groups according to type and duration of diet. After the sacrifice of each rat, the carotid bifurcation with aneurysm was fixed in 10% formalin and embedded in paraffin. Each aneurysm section was examined in detail and the height of aneurysmal sac was measured using an ocular micrometer in the section in which the aneurysm was observed to be largest. RESULTS The mean size of each group was compared using the single-sided variance analysis technique and among the 4 groups of rats, the mean size of aneurysmal sac of 4th group found greater than the others (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION The present study indicates that haemodynamic stress plays a very important role in the growth of saccular aneurysms.