Early morphology and pathology of the basilar artery remodeling induced by hemodynamic changes

Abstract

Objective To explore the basilar artery morphology and pathology after hemodynamic changes of basilar artery. Methods New Zealand white rabbits were subjected to bilateral common carotid artery ligation to produce compensatory vertebrobasilar artery flow increase. The basilar artery flow velocity was monitored by transcranial Doppler before the procedure and at 1 day, 1 week and 2 weeks after the procedure. DSA was performed at 1 week and 2 weeks after the procedure respectively and the basilar artery diameter and the extent of tortuosity were measured. The basilar artery tissues were harvested at 1 week and 2 weeks after the procedure and examined histologically by EVG and Masson staining. Results The basilar artery flow velocity of New Zealand white rabbit was increased significantly subjected to common carotid artery ligation (10.99 ml/min vs 36.53 ml/min, P<0.001). One or two weeks after surgery, the basilar artery diameter was expanded (0.60 mm vs 0.82 mm; 0.73 mm vs 1.03 mm, P<0.001), and the artery was curved. The internal elastic layer of artery was intact with smooth muscle cells proliferation in response to high flow and shear stress. The basilar artery was bent to the left side in 57.1% of all rabbits and there was significant difference compared with that of preoperation. Conclusions The hemodynamic increasing of the basilar artery after bilateral common carotid artery ligation of New Zealand white rabbits resulted in expansion and tortuosity of the basilar artery. Key words: Basilar artery; Hemodynamic; Vascular remodeling; Angiography