2004 Grant Recipient

"Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Validation of Canine Models Reproducing Endoleaks"

Sophie Lerouge, PhD Notre-Dame Hospital, Montreal Endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with a stent-graft has numerous advantages compared to surgery; its clinical use is however limited by frequent complications, such as incomplete exclusion of the aneurysm from blood flow (called “endoleaks”), which can lead to aneurysm enlargement and rupture. The objective of Dr. Lerouge's

research project is to develop animal models reproducing type I and II endoleaks. Such models are required to better understand the mechanisms leading to endoleaks and to provide tools to assess new strategies designed to decrease their occurrence. They are now studying model reproducibility and biological characteristics related to endoleaks. A long-term objective of this research is to test the impact of implant modifications designed to improve the outcomes of this minimally invasive treatment of AAA.