Application of a rabbit-elastase aneurysm model for preliminary histology assessment of the PPODA-QT liquid embolic

BACKGROUND: PPODA-QT is a novel liquid embolic under development for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. We sought to test the rabbit-elastase aneurysm model to evaluate the tissue response following PPODA-QT embolization. METHODS: Experimental elastase-induced aneurysms were created in fourteen New Zealand White Rabbits. Eight animals were used for aneurysm model and endovascular embolization technique development. Six PPODA-QT-treated animals were enrolled in the study. Control and aneurysm tissues were harvested at acute (n = 2), 1-month (n = 2), and 3-month (n = 2) timepoints and the tissues were prepared for histology assessment. RESULTS: All fourteen rabbit-elastase aneurysms resulted in small and medium aneurysm heights (<10 mm dome height) with highly variable neck morphologies, small midline dome diameters, and beyond-wide dome-to-neck (d: n) ratios. Histological evaluation of four aneurysms, treated with PPODA-QT, demonstrated reorganization of aneurysm wall elastin into a smooth muscle layer, and observed as early as the 1-month survival timepoint. At the aneurysm neck, a homogenous neointimal layer (200–300 μm) formed at the PPODA-QT interface, sealing off the parent vessel from the aneurysm dome. No adverse immune response was evident at 1- and 3-month survival timepoints. CONCLUSION: PPODA-QT successfully embolized the treated aneurysms. Following PPODA-QT embolization, neointimal tissue growth and remodeling were noted with minimal immunological response. The experimental aneurysms created in rabbits were uniformly small with inconsistent neck morphology. Further testing of PPODA-QT will be conducted in larger aneurysm models for device delivery optimization and aneurysm healing assessment before human clinical investigation.