Controllable and Uncontrollable Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection in Canine Models

Stanford type A and type B aortic dissections are anatomically distinct. Few animal models appropriately mimic human aortic dissection in the clinical setting. We developed animal models that mimicked uncontrollable Stanford type B aortic dissection as well as controllable dissection.Twelve female beagle dogs were randomly assigned to the uncontrollable dissection model, and 8 to the controllable. After creation of the false lumen using a self-made separator, epinephrine was injected acutely in the uncontrollable model, and a rapid injection of saline expanded the false lumen in the controllable model using a balloon catheter.All models mimicked Stanford type B dissection at autopsy. Dissections formed in 9 of the 12 animals of the uncontrollable model as confirmed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) performed 1 week after surgery. For the controllable dissection model, 6 out of 8 animals survived, and dissection was confirmed by DSA. Occlusion of the dissection developed 4 weeks after surgery in all 6 cases.We have developed an easy, stable animal model of Stanford type B dissection which provides a great length of false lumen and appears very similar to aortic dissection in humans.