Vascular access port implantation and serial blood sampling in a Gottingen minipig (Sus scrofa domestica) model of XXXX .

@entity1 @entity32 @entity455 @entity295 @entity882 @entity39 @entity281 @entity16265 @entity6937
Threats of nuclear and other radiologic exposures have been increasing, but no countermeasure for @entity6937 has been approved by regulatory authorities. Because of their similarity to @entity1 in regard to physiology and anatomy, we are characterizing Gottingen minipigs as a model to aid the development of radiation countermeasures. Irradiated minipigs exhibit immunosuppression, severe @entity882 , @entity455 , and acute @entity32 . These complications render serial acquisition of blood samples problematic. Vascular access ports (VAP) facilitate serial sampling, but their use often is complicated by @entity281 . We demonstrate here the successful use of VAP for multiple blood samplings in irradiated minipigs. Device design and limited postoperative prophylactic antimicrobial therapy before irradiation were key to obtaining serial sampling, reducing swelling, and eliminating @entity39 at the implantation site. Modifications of previous protocols included the use of @entity16265 sutures instead of silk; eliminating chronic port access; single-use, sterile, antireflux prefilled syringes for flushing; strict aseptic weekly maintenance of the device, and acclimating animals to reduce stress. VAP remained functional in 19 of 20 irradiated animals for as long as 3 mo. The remaining VAP failed due to a small leak in the catheter, leading to clot formation. VAP-related @entity295 occurred in 2 minipigs. Blood sampling did not cause detectable stress in nonanesthetized sham-irradiated animals, according to leukograms and clinical signs.
