Assessing Vessel Perfusion via Angiography: A Technique to Introduce Contrast Agent in Descending Aorta to Visualize Blood Vessel Perfusion in Rabbit Model

A blockage in a blood vessel can interrupt the blood flowing through it. This blockage can be detected by a technique known as angiography.

To perform angiography, place an anesthetized rabbit in the supine position on a surgery platform. Incise the skin and muscle layers in the neck region to expose the right common carotid artery, or CCA, located on the right side of the trachea.

Suture the distal end of the artery to prevent movement of the tracer dye toward the head region in the subsequent steps. Create an opening in the artery below the sutured end. Use this opening to administer heparin, which prevents blood clotting. Insert a flexible guide wire through this opening in the CCA, and suture it to restrain its position.

Advance the guide wire into the lumen of the descending aorta until it is near the aortic bifurcation point at the iliac crest - the tip of the pelvic region. Introduce an angiographic catheter over the guide wire and forward it until it is positioned above the aortic bifurcation.

Inject the tracer dye through the catheter and perform angiography. The dye absorbs the electromagnetic waves, increasing the blood vessels' contrast against the background. Enhanced contrast helps monitor the blood flow into the hindlimbs and visually detect any blockages.