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An Integrated Framework to Quantitatively Link Mouse-Specific Hemodynamics to Aneurysm Formation in Angiotensin II-infused ApoE −/− mice

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Abstract

Locally disturbed flow has been suggested to play a (modulating) role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation, but no longitudinal studies have been performed yet due to (a.o.) a lack of human data prior to AAA formation. In this study we made use of recent advances in small animal imaging technology in order to set up entirely mouse-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of the abdominal aorta in an established ApoE −/− mouse model of AAA formation, combining (i) in vivo contrast-enhanced micro-CT scans (geometrical model) and (ii) in vivo high-frequency ultrasound scans (boundary conditions). Resulting areas of disturbed flow at baseline were compared to areas of AAA at end-stage. Qualitative results showed that AAA dimension is maximal in areas that are situated proximal to those areas that experience most disturbed flow in three out of four S developing an AAA. Although further quantitative analysis did not reveal any obvious relationship between areas that experience most disturbed flow and the end-stage AAA dimensions, we cannot exclude that hemodynamics play a role in the initial phases of AAA formation. Due to its mouse-specific and in vivo nature, the presented methodology can be used in future research to link detailed and animal-specific (baseline) hemodynamics to (end-stage) arterial disease in longitudinal studies in mice.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Special Research Fund of the Ghent University (BOF10/GOA/005) and the Hercules Foundation (project AUGE/09/012). Bram Trachet is recipient of a research grant of the Flemish government agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT). The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of Philippe Joye and Scharon Bruneel from the Ghent University small animal imaging lab (INFINITY).

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There are no conflicts of interests to be declared.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IBiTech-bioMMeda, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, Block B, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Bram Trachet, Gianluca De Santis & Patrick Segers

  2. Centre for Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Marjolijn Renard, Julie De Backer & Bart Loeys

  3. IBiTech-Medisip, Ghent University—IBBT, Ghent, Belgium

    Steven Staelens

  4. Molecular Imaging Center, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium

    Steven Staelens

  5. Orobix Srl, Bergamo, Italy

    Luca Antiga

  6. Department of Bioengineering, Mario Negri Institute, Bergamo, Italy

    Luca Antiga

  7. Centre of Medical Genetics, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium

    Bart Loeys

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  1. Bram Trachet
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  2. Marjolijn Renard
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Correspondence to Bram Trachet.

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Associate Editor Joan Greve oversaw the review of this article.

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Trachet, B., Renard, M., De Santis, G. et al. An Integrated Framework to Quantitatively Link Mouse-Specific Hemodynamics to Aneurysm Formation in Angiotensin II-infused ApoE −/− mice. Ann Biomed Eng 39, 2430–2444 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-011-0330-5

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