Rofo 2010; 182 - A42
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1268327

Quantitative CT Imaging of the Spatio-Temporal Distribution Patterns of Vasa Vasorum in Aortas of ApoE-/-/LDL-/- double knockout Mice

R Moritz 1, AC Langheinrich 1, M Kampschulte 1, A Brinkmann 1, P Stieger 4, DG Sedding 4, C Dierkes 2, RM Bohle 5, G Krombach 1, EL Ritmann 3
  • 1Department of Radiology, University of Gießen
  • 2Department of Pathology, University of Gießen
  • 3Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, USA
  • 4Department of Cardiology, University of Gießen
  • 5Department of Pathology, University of Homburg/Saar

Zielsetzung: To investigate the distribution of VV relative to advanced atherosclerotic lesions (calcified, fibrotic or hemorrhaged) along the aortic wall of apoE-/-/LDL-/- mice at the age of 25 and 80 weeks using high-resolution nano-CT.

Material und Methoden: Aortas from male apoE-/-/LDL-/- mice at the age of 25 (n=4) and 80 weeks (n=7) were infused in situ with contrast agent and harvested for scanning with nano-CT. The spatial distribution of Vasa Vasorum [number and area/cross-section (mm2)] was compared to aortic luminal cross-sectional area and plaque cross-sectional area in the ascending aorta, aortic arch and descending aorta. Results were complemented with co-localized histology.

Ergebnisse: The number and total luminal cross-sectional area of VV showed a significant decrease in the ascending aorta and aortic arch from 25 to 80 weeks but not in the descending aorta. The number and cross-sectional area of VV showed significant local differences depending on whether it was near a fibrotic, and hemorrhaged or calcified plaque in animals at the age of 80 weeks. Area of VV progressively increased along the aorta from least in the ascending aorta < aortic arch < descending aorta in animals at the age of 80 weeks and is inverse in animals aged 25 weeks.

Schlussfolgerung: Atherosclerotic lesion type is correlated to the number and cross-sectional area of VV in different aortic segments in apoE-/-/LDL-/- mice. The chronological development of VV along the aorta proceeds distally from the ascending aorta and aortic arch.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Imaging, Vasa Vasorum