Development of a Novel Canine Model of Ischemic Stroke: Skull Base Approach with Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion

Objective Although canine stroke models have several intrinsic advantages, establishing consistent and reproducible territorial stroke in these models has been challenging because of the abundance of collateral circulation. We have described a skull-base surgical approach that yields reproducible stroke volumes. Methods Ten male beagles were studied. In all 10 dogs, a craniectomy was performed to expose the circle of Willis. Cerebral aneurysm clips were temporarily applied to the middle cerebral artery (MCA), anterior cerebral artery (ACA), posterior cerebral artery, and/or ophthalmic artery (OA) for 1 hour, followed by cauterization of the distal MCA pial collateral vessels. Indocyanine green angiography was performed to assess the local blood flow to the intended area of infarction. The dogs' neurologic examination was evaluated, and the stroke burden was quantified using magnetic resonance imaging. Results High mortality was observed after 1-hour clip occlusion of the posterior cerebral artery, MCA, ACA, and OA ( n  = 4). Without coagulation of the MCA collateral vessels, 1-hour occlusion of the MCA and/or ACA and OA yielded inconsistent stroke volumes ( n  = 2). In contrast, after coagulation of the distal MCA pial collateral vessels, 1-hour occlusion of the MCA, ACA, and OA yielded consistent territorial stroke volumes ( n  = 4; average stroke volume, 9.13 ± 0.90 cm 3 ; no surgical mortalities), with reproducible neurologic deficits. Conclusion Consistent stroke volumes can be achieved in male beagles using a skull base surgical approach with temporary occlusion of the MCA, ACA, and OA when combined with cauterization of the distal MCA pial collateral vessels.