Cannulation of the Carotid Artery in a Rat Model

Prepare an anesthetized rat in a supine position.

Incise longitudinally through the skin above the anatomical left aspect of the trachea.

Dissect the subcutaneous connective tissue. Retract the neck muscles, revealing the left carotid artery.

Isolate an artery section and place silk sutures around both ends.

Ligate the suture placed distal from the heart to prevent blood flow toward the head region.

Obstruct blood flow through the artery section. Make an incision on the top surface of the artery.

Insert an anticoagulant-filled cannula connected to an anticoagulant-filled syringe into the incised section.

Advancing the cannula to the predetermined depth, inject the anticoagulant solution into the cannula.

Draw back a small blood volume through the cannula to confirm unobstructed flow.

Flush with the anticoagulant solution and seal the cannula's end to prevent blood leakage.

Secure the cannula within the artery. Close the surgical incision.

The cannulated rat model is ready for experiments.