Cannulation of the Carotid Artery in a Rat Model

Abstract

Source: Trevaskis, N. L. et al., The Mesenteric Lymph Duct Cannulated Rat Model: Application to the Assessment of Intestinal Lymphatic Drug Transport. J. Vis. Exp. (2015)

In this video, we demonstrate a surgical procedure to cannulate the left carotid artery in a rat model.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board. 1. Cannulation of the Carotid Artery The carotid artery cannulation may be performed before or after the cannulation of the mesenteric lymph duct. Some operators prefer to cannulate the carotid artery prior to cannulating the lymph duct so as to reduce potentially dislodging the lymph cannula when moving the …

Representative Results

Figure 1. Photographs of (A) the carotid artery isolated with two silk sutures with the one closest to the operator tied off, (B) the carotid artery isolated and blood flow occluded with a pair of straight fine tip forceps placed underneath the artery, and (C) a carotid artery with the cannula in place and the patency being checked by drawing bac…

Materials

Sterile saline	Baxter healthcare	AHB 1307	Any brand can be used. Example here is Baxter 100 ml saline bags, box of 50
70 % ethanol in water	Any		Any brand can be used
Heparin (35000I.U. in 35 mL)	Sigma Pharmaceuticals	337220	http://sigmaco.com.au/
Polyethylene (PE) cannula o.d. 0.96 mm x i.d. 0.58 mm	Microtube extensions	PE8050	Any brand can be used. Example here is PE tubing 0.8×0.5 mm, 30 m
Polyethylene (PE) cannula o.d. 0.8 mm x i.d. 0.5 mm	Microtube extensions	PE9658	Any brand can be used. Example here is PE tubing 0.96×0.58 mm, 30 m
Ruler	Any		Any brand can be used
Markers	Any		Any brand can be used
Cigarette lighter	Any		Any brand can be used
23 gauge needles	Livingstone International	DN23GX0.75LV	Any brand can be used. Example here is Livingstone Disposable Needle, Sterile, 23GX0.75inch, 100/BOX. http://www.livingstone.com.au/?PG=search_result&CAT= 6&search=DN23GX0.75LV
25 gauge needles	Livingstone International	DN25GX1.0LV	Any brand can be used. Example here is Livingstone Disposable Needle, Sterile, 25GX1.0inch, 100/BOX. http://www.livingstone.com.au/?PG=search_result&CAT=6&search= DN25GX1.0LV
1 ml syringe	Livingstone International	T3SS01TA	Any brand can be used. Example here is Terumo syringe 1 ml Slip Tuberculin 100/Box. http://www.livingstone.com.au/?PG=search_result&CAT=6&search =T3SS01TA
10 ml syringe	Livingstone International	T3SS10SA	Any brand can be used. Example here is Terumo syringe 10 ml Slip 100/Box. http://www.livingstone.com.au/?PG=search_result&CAT=6&search =T3SS10SA
Gauze swabs	Livingstone International	GSC075	Any brand can be used and cut to required size. Example here is gauze swabs cotton filled 7.5×7.5 cm, 8 ply. http://www.livingstone.com.au/?PG=search_result&CAT=6&search =GSC075
Cotton buds	Livingstone International	CTAST075DP	Any brand can be used. Example here is Livingstone cotton applicator plastic double tipped. 75MM. 100/PK. http://www.livingstone.com.au/?PG=search_result&CAT=6&search =CTAST075DP
Silk suture	Livingstone International	DTSK163019F4
Scalpel blades	Fine Science Tools (FST)	10020-00	Any brand can be used. Example here is FST Scalpel Blade #20. http://www.finescience.ca/Special-Pages/Products.aspx?ProductId=191
Scalpel handle	Fine Science Tools (FST)	10004-13	Any brand can be used. Example here is FST Scalpel Handle #4. http://www.finescience.ca/Special-Pages/Products.aspx?ProductId=298&CategoryId=51
1 x Small surgical scissors	Fine Science Tools (FST)	14060-09	Any brand can be used. Example here is FST Fine Scissors, 9 cm with 21 mm cutting edge, sharp, straight. http://www.finescience.ca/Special-Pages/Products.aspx?ProductId=40&CategoryId=17
2 x Forceps with serrated curved tip	Fine Science Tools (FST)	11001-13	Any brand can be used. Example here is FST 13 cm standard pattern forceps with curved 2.8×1.4 mm tip. http://www.finescience.ca/Special-Pages/Products.aspx?ProductId=405&CategoryId=32
1 x Iridectomy scissors	Fine Science Tools (FST)	15000-08	Any brand can be used. Example here is FST Vannas Spring Scissors – 2.5mm Cutting Edge, Straight. http://www.finescience.ca/Special-Pages/Products.aspx?ProductId=17&CategoryId=16
1 x Forceps with straight serated tip	Fine Science Tools (FST)	11650-10	Any brand can be used. Example here is FST Graefe 10 cm straight with serrated 1 x 0.99 mm tip. http://www.finescience.ca/Special-Pages/Products.aspx?ProductId=390&CategoryId=32
1 x Forceps with smooth sharp straight fine tip	Fine Science Tools (FST)	11251-10	Any brand can be used. Example here is FST Dumont #5 forceps straight 11cm with 0.08 x 0.04mm tip. http://www.finescience.ca/Special-Pages/Products.aspx?ProductId=335&CategoryId=29
1 x Forceps with smooth fine curved forceps	Fine Science Tools (FST)	11063-07	Any brand can be used. Example here is FST Delicate Forceps 9 cm with smooth 0.4 x 0.3mm tip. http://www.finescience.ca/Special-Pages/Products.aspx?ProductId=360
1 x Suture needle holder	Fine Science Tools (FST)	12001-13	Any brand can be used. Example here is FST 13cm Hasley Needle Holder with 16 mm length x 1.9 mm width tip. http://www.finescience.ca/Special-Pages/Products.aspx?ProductId=254&CategoryId=70
1 x Artery clamp	Fine Science Tools (FST)	18050-28	Any brand can be used. Example here is FST Bulldog Serrefines straight, 28 mm long, 9×1.6 mm jaw dimension with medium clamp press. http://www.finescience.ca/Special-Pages/Products.aspx?ProductId=270&CategoryId=82