scholarly journals In Vivo Detection and Measurement of Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection in Mouse Models Using Microcomputed Tomography with Contrast Agent

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Guanglang Zhu ◽  
Huiying Sun ◽  
Jiannan Wang ◽  
Zhiqing Zhao ◽  
Junmin Bao ◽  
...  

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) using the intravascular contrast agent ExiTron nano 12000 for aorta imaging and monitoring the dynamic changing process of the aorta in mouse models with aortic aneurysm and dissection. Materials and Methods. Experiments were performed on healthy mice and mice with aortic dissection. Mice that were developing aortic dissection and healthy mice underwent micro-CT imaging after injection of ExiTron nano 12000. Time-dependent signal enhancement (at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 hours after intravenous injection of the contrast agent, respectively) in the aorta of healthy mice was measured to confirm the optimal imaging time of aorta. Various contrast agent doses (70, 100, and 150 μl per 25 g mouse, respectively) were investigated to determine the optimal required dose for imaging of the aorta. The mice were scanned with micro-CT at 1, 14, and 28 days after onset of aneurysm and dissection to monitor the dynamic changing process of the aorta. Mouse aortas were stained with hematoxylin and eosin staining, and the diameter of the aorta was measured and compared with those obtained by micro-CT. Results. Time-dependent signal enhancement in the aorta shows that the contrast agent has a long blood half-life of 6 hours, with a peak enhancement at 2 hours after injection. Injection of 100 μl ExiTron nano 12000 per 25 g mouse allows for effective visualization of the aorta. Micro-CT combined with contrast agent can monitor the changing process of the aorta in the mouse model of aortic aneurysm and dissection dynamically. The values of the diameter of the aortas obtained from the in vivo micro-CT imaging were compared with those obtained from histology and showed a significant correlation (R2 = 0.96). Conclusions. These data demonstrate that in vivo micro-CT is an accurate and feasible technique to detect aortic aneurysm or dissection in a mouse model, and the micro-CT technique using the innovative contrast agent ExiTron nano 12000 allows for monitoring various processes dynamically such as aortic remodeling in longitudinal studies.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Sawall ◽  
Danielle Franke ◽  
Anne Kirchherr ◽  
Jan Beckendorf ◽  
Jan Kuntz ◽  
...  

We herein developed a micro-CT method using the innovative contrast agent ExiTron™ MyoC 8000 to longitudinally monitor cardiac processes in vivo in small animals. Experiments were performed on healthy mice and mice with myocardial infarction inflicted by ligation of the left anterior descending artery. Time-dependent signal enhancement in different tissues of healthy mice was measured and various contrast agent doses were investigated so as to determine the minimum required dose for imaging of the myocardium. Due to its ability to be taken up by healthy myocardium but not by infarct tissue, ExiTron MyoC 8000 enables detection of myocardial infarction even at a very low dose. The signal enhancement in the myocardium of infarcted mice after contrast agent injection was exploited for quantification of infarct size. The values of infarct size obtained from the imaging method were compared with those obtained from histology and showed a significant correlation (R2=0.98). Thus, the developed micro-CT method allows for monitoring of a variety of processes such as cardiac remodeling in longitudinal studies.


Author(s):  
Brittany O. Aicher ◽  
Subhradip Mukhopadhyay ◽  
Xin Lu ◽  
Selen C. Muratoglu ◽  
Dudley K. Strickland ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn Hodge ◽  
Katherine G. Spoonamore ◽  
Christopher B. Griffith ◽  
David D. Weaver ◽  
Patricia B.S. Celestino-Soper ◽  
...  

We report on the process of <em>post mortem</em> evaluation and genetic testing following the death of a 25-year-old man due to ascending aortic dissection leading to aortic rupture. Following the negative clinical testing of a 12- gene thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection panel, research testing revealed a novel c.5732A&gt;T (p.E1911V) variant in exon 34 of the MYLK gene (NM_053025). Two likely pathogenic variants in this gene have been reported previously in individuals with familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection. Given the unclear clinical consequence of the variant found in our proband, we have classified this change as a variant of uncertain significance. In addition to discussing the complexity involved in variant interpretation, we recognize the need for additional research for more accurate <em>MYLK</em> interpretation. Finally, we comment on the unique challenges of <em>post mortem</em> genetic testing.


2018 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Yuki Izawa-Ishizawa ◽  
Masaki Imanishi ◽  
Yoshito Zamami ◽  
Hiroki Toya ◽  
Tomoko Nagao ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (7S_Part_1) ◽  
pp. P26-P27
Author(s):  
Jonatan A. Snir ◽  
Mojmir Suchy ◽  
Geron A. Bindseil ◽  
Blaine A. Chronik ◽  
Robert H.E. Hudson ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (7S_Part_3) ◽  
pp. P128-P128
Author(s):  
Jonatan A. Snir ◽  
Mojmir Suchy ◽  
Geron A. Bindseil ◽  
Blaine A. Chronik ◽  
Robert H.E. Hudson ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabry Omar ◽  
Tyler Moore ◽  
Drew Payne ◽  
Parastoo Momeni ◽  
Zachary Mulkey ◽  
...  

We are reporting a case of familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection in a 26-year-old man with no significant past medical history and a family history of dissecting aortic aneurysm in his mother at the age of 40. The patient presented with cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Chest X-ray showed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. CT scan of the chest showed a dissection of the ascending aorta. The patient underwent aortic dissection repair and three months later he returned to our hospital with new complaints of back pain. CT angiography showed a new aortic dissection extending from the left carotid artery through the bifurcation and into the iliac arteries. The patient underwent replacement of the aortic root, ascending aorta, total aortic arch, and aortic valve. The patient recovered well postoperatively. Genetic studies of the patient and his children revealed no mutations in ACTA2, TGFBR1, TGFBR2, TGFB2, MYH11, MYLK, SMAD3, or FBN1. This case report focuses on a patient with familial TAAD and discusses the associated genetic loci and available screening methods. It is important to recognize potential cases of familial TAAD and understand the available screening methods since early diagnosis allows appropriate management of risk factors and treatment when necessary.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Goliopoulou ◽  
A Antonopoulos ◽  
E Oikonomou ◽  
A Miliou ◽  
P Theofilis ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Thoracic aortic dissections are among the cardiovascular diseases with the highest mortality rates. Their often belated diagnosis and, hence, poor prognosis call for further research of their pathophysiology and possible biomarkers that will aid early diagnosis and increase survival rates. Osteoprotegerin is a known biomarker in cardiovascular disease, but it is yet to be determined whether it participates in aortic disease and thoracic aortic dissection in particular. Purpose This clinical study aimed at researching the role of osteoprotegerin in thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection. Methods We compared three groups of patients; 20 patients with ascending aortic aneurysm (AAA), 10 patients with acute ascending aortic dissection (AAD) and 16 patients with normal aortic diameter undergoing cardiac surgery for other indication (control group). Serum samples were obtained from patients before surgery and osteoprotegerin levels were measured using the ELISA method. Results One-way analysis of variance revealed a significant association between the examined groups of patients and levels of osteoprotegerin (AAD: 62.72±44.53 pmol/L, AAA: 33.43±8.08 pmol/L, Control: 48.61±29.47 pmol/L, p=0.03). Importantly, after post-hoc analysis osteoprotegerin levels were found to be increased in patients with AAD compared to patients with uncomplicated AAA (62.72±44.53 pmol/L vs 33.43±8.08 pmol/L, p=0.03) (Figure 1), whereas there was no statistically significant difference between patients with AAA and the control group (33.43±8.08 pmol/L vs 48.61±29.47 pmol/L, p=0.34). Conclusions These findings suggest that osteoprotegerin may participate in the pathophysiology of aortic dissection but not in mechanisms of aortic dilatation. Therefore, detection of elevated osteoprotegerin levels in patients with diagnosed ascending aortic aneurysms might suggest an increased probability of dissection and, therefore, aid the decision-making process. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charmainne Cruje ◽  
P. Joy Dunmore-Buyze ◽  
Eric Grolman ◽  
David W. Holdsworth ◽  
Elizabeth R. Gillies ◽  
...  

AbstractVascular research is largely performed in rodents with the goal of developing treatments for human disease. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) provides non-destructive three-dimensional imaging that can be used to study the vasculature of rodents. However, to distinguish vasculature from other soft tissues, long-circulating contrast agents are required. In this study, we demonstrated that poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-coated gadolinium nanoparticles can be used as a vascular contrast agent in micro-CT. The coated particles could be lyophilized and then redispersed in an aqueous solution to achieve 100 mg/mL of gadolinium. After an intravenous injection of the contrast agent into mice, micro-CT scans showed blood pool contrast enhancements of at least 200 HU for 30 min. Imaging and quantitative analysis of gadolinium in tissues showed the presence of contrast agent in clearance organs including the liver and spleen and very low amounts in other organs. In vitro cell culture experiments, subcutaneous injections, and analysis of mouse body weight suggested that the agents exhibited low toxicity. Histological analysis of tissues 5 days after injection of the contrast agent showed cytotoxicity in the spleen, but no abnormalities were observed in the liver, lungs, kidneys, and bladder.


Medicina ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mile Vranes ◽  
Milos Velinovic ◽  
Natasa Kovacevic-Kostic ◽  
Dragutin Savic ◽  
Dejan Nikolic ◽  
...  

In the current article, 3 cases of aortic aneurysm and dissection in pregnant patients with Marfan’s syndrome are reported. It is well known that pregnancy is a risk factor for the development of aortic aneurysm and dissection in women with Marfan’s syndrome since it is shown that dissection can develop both before and after labor. Marfan patients with an aortic root diameter greater than 4 cm should undergo preconceptual counseling for surgical aortic repair before pregnancy. Pregnant Marfan patients with an aortic aneurysm should be closely and continuously evaluated by multidisciplinary specialists in order to prevent possible aortic dissection that could be fatal for both the mother and the fetus.


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