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Multimodality imaging assessment of the deleterious role of the intraluminal thrombus on the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysm in a rat model

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Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate imaging changes occurring in a rat model of elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), with emphasis on the intraluminal thrombus (ILT) occurrence.

Methods

The post-induction growth of the AAA diameter was characterized using ultrasound in 22 rats. ILT was reported on 13 rats that underwent 14 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 2-18 days post-surgery, and on 10 rats that underwent 18 fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/microcomputed tomography examinations 2-27 days post-surgery. Logistic regressions were used to establish the evolution with time of AAA length, diameter, ILT thickness, volume, stratification, MRI and FDG PET signalling properties, and histological assessment of inflammatory infiltrates.

Results

All of the following significantly increased with time post-induction (p < 0.001): AAA length, AAA diameter, ILT maximal thickness, ILT volume, ILT iron content and related MRI signalling changes, quantitative uptake on FDG PET, and the magnitude of inflammatory infiltrates on histology. However, the aneurysm growth peak followed occurrence of ILT approximately 6 days after elastase infusion.

Conclusion

Our model emphasizes that occurrence of ILT precedes AAA peak growth. Aneurysm growth is associated with increasing levels of iron, signalling properties changes in both MRI and FDG PET, relating to its biological activities.

Key Points

• ILT occurrence in AAA is associated with increasing FDG uptake and growth.

• MRI signalling changes in ILT reflect activities such as haemorrhage and RBC trapping.

• Monitoring ILT activities using MRI may require no exogenous contrast agent.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Mrs. Cécile Wegria and Carmela La Mantia for manuscript handling, editing and management; Jacques Trentesaux, Jean-Marc Léonard, and Jean-François Monville, M.D. for their kind assistance and advice in MRI. The scientific guarantor of this publication is Natzi Sakalihasan MD, PhD. The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies, whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article. This study has received funding by the 7th European Framework Program collaborative project: Fighting Aneurysmal Disease (FAD). Adelin Albert, PhD and Laurence Seidel PhD kindly provided statistical advice for this manuscript. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Approval from the institutional animal care committee was obtained. Methodology: prospective, experimental, performed at one institution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Imaging, University Hospital Liège, Liège, Belgium

    Alain Nchimi, Mounia El Hachemi, Laurent Schoysman & Julien Joskin

  2. Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Liège, Liège, Belgium

    Jean-Paul Cheramy-Bien, Jean-Olivier Defraigne & Natzi Sakalihasan

  3. Laboratory of Connective Tissue Biology, GIGA-R, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium

    Audrey Courtois

  4. Surgical Research Center, GIGA-Cardiovascular diseases, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium

    Ziad Touat & Jean-Paul Cheramy-Bien

  5. INSERM & Cardiology Department, Bichat Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France

    Jean-Baptiste Michel

  6. Department of Experimental Surgery and Animal Care, University Hospital Liège, Liège, Belgium

    Pierre Drion

  7. Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Liège, Liège, Belgium

    Nadia Withofs

  8. Cyclotron Research Center, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium

    Geoff Warnock, Mohamed-Ali Bahri & Alain Plenevaux

  9. Department of Pharmacy, Namur Thrombosis and Hemostasis Center (NTHC), Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium

    Jean-Michel Dogné

  10. GIGA cardiovascular diseases, University Hospital Liège, Domaine Universitaire du Sart-Tilman B 35, B - 4000, Liege, Belgium

    Alain Nchimi

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  1. Alain Nchimi
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Correspondence to Alain Nchimi.

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Nchimi, A., Courtois, A., El Hachemi, M. et al. Multimodality imaging assessment of the deleterious role of the intraluminal thrombus on the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysm in a rat model. Eur Radiol 26, 2378–2386 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-4010-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-4010-y

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