Changes in the vasa vasorum following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in a canine model of aortic stenosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty on the vasa vasorum in dogs with experimentally created abdominal aortic stenoses.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Two stenoses were created in the abdominal aorta in each of 21 dogs. After 6 weeks, the more cephalic stenosis was dilated; the other stenosis served as an untreated control. Groups of three dogs were killed at 24 hours, 3 and 6 weeks, and 4, 8, 12, and 18 months after angioplasty. The aortae were studied by means of histologic examination, microangiography, scanning electron microscopy, and the Spalteholz technique.

RESULTS

At nondilated stenoses, the vasa vasorum was interrupted in the outer adventitia and unchanged in the outer media. At dilated stenoses, the number of precapillary arterioles in the outer media progressively increased up to 8 months; thereafter, the number of precapillary arterioles began to decrease. At 18 months, the number was normal.

CONCLUSION

Angioplasty brings about changes in the number of precapillary arterioles in the outer media of the aorta in our canine model of focal abdominal aortic stenosis.