Arteriovenous Fistula Model

Applications

• Research on AVF maturation failure and neointimal hyperplasia mechanisms.

• Efficacy testing of pharmacological interventions to prevent stenosis (e.g., siRNA, drug-eluting wraps).

• Validation of medical devices, such as vascular grafts and anastomosis support systems.

• Studies on wall shear stress (WSS) and flow-mediated remodeling.

Modeling Methods

Advanced Microsurgical Anastomosis:

• Small Animal: End-to-side anastomosis between the carotid artery and jugular vein (or femoral vessels) in rats.

• Large Animal (Swine): Clinically relevant AVF creation using the femoral or carotid-jugular system, mimicking the surgical technique and hemodynamic stress of human dialysis access.

Testing Items

• Hemodynamic Monitoring: Color Doppler Ultrasound to measure flow velocity, resistance index, and vessel diameter (maturation assessment).

• Histomorphometry: Measurement of neointimal thickness and Intima/Media (I/M) ratio at the anastomosis site.

• IHC/IF: Analysis of smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation (α-SMA, Ki-67) and inflammatory infiltration (CD68).

• Invasive Measurements: Real-time intravascular pressure monitoring.

Addressing the Challenges of AVF Maturation:

• Translational Fidelity in Swine: At HuaTeng Biotechnology, we recommend the porcine AVF model for device and late-stage drug validation. The porcine vein exhibits a remodeling response (VNH) that closely mirrors human clinical failure modes, which is often under-represented in smaller rodent models.

• Precision Anastomosis: Our surgeons utilize 10-0 or 11-0 sutures for rodent models and specialized techniques for swine to ensure consistent stoma size. This precision is critical because the initial hemodynamic profile determines the rate of neointimal hyperplasia.

• Longitudinal Evaluation: We offer longitudinal Doppler Ultrasound tracking, allowing researchers to observe the "Maturation Window"—the period where the vein wall thickens and the lumen expands—providing a comprehensive kinetic profile of the vascular response