Evaluation of a technique to occlude the internal carotid artery of horses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an occlusion technique for the internal carotid artery of horses using an intravascular, detachable, self-sealing, latex balloon distally and ligatures proximally. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Six healthy adult horses. METHODS: In each horse, the left internal carotid artery was occluded by placement of an intravascular, detachable, self-sealing, latex balloon distally and two ligatures proximally. Radiographs were taken on days 2, 5, 10, and 30 after surgery to evaluate balloon inflation and position. Endoscopic examination of the left guttural pouch was performed 10 days after surgery to evaluate the integrity of the internal carotid artery and surrounding tissues. At 30 days, the left and right, common, internal, and external carotid arteries were examined grossly and then processed for histologic evaluation. RESULTS: Immediate and long-term occlusion of the left internal carotid artery was achieved in all horses. The surgical procedure was technically straightforward and no intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered. The balloons remained inflated and in their original position throughout the study. Maturing to mature, organized thrombi were present in the left internal carotid artery in all horses at 30 days. The cerebral arterial circle and common carotid artery were patent at their junctions with the internal carotid artery in all horses. CONCLUSIONS: Use of an intravascular, detachable, self-sealing, latex balloon distally and ligatures proximally is an effective technique for occluding the internal carotid artery of horses. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This technique may be useful for prevention of fatal hemorrhage in horses with lesions of the internal carotid artery.