Brief history of the rodent aortocaval fistula model
In 1973, Stumpe et al. introduced an ACF model in Sprague-Dawley rats. Between 1981 and 1983, Ballinger’s group further refined the model. In 2001, this model was applied in cardiac hypertrophy study.
In 2013, Dardik lab simplified this model using a 25G needle without suture or glue.
outflow vein remodeling
In mice, the outflow vein is typically examined at 50–100 μm cranial to the “fistula”. Patent AVF display a thickened venous wall that characterized by an accumulation of α-actin–positive smooth muscle cells (SMC).
Juxta-anastomotic neointimal hyperplasia (JANIH)
Juxta-anastomotic neointimal hyperplasia is one of the leading causes of AVF failure in human AVF; but juxta-anastomotic area (JAA) lacks a precise definition, with 2–5 cm downstream of the anastomosis being commonly used. We recently investigated and defined the complex temporal and spatial changes at the JAA in a mouse AVF model.
Dr. Alan Dardik is a surgeon-scientist who harnesses the power of molecular biology to achieve a modern understanding of vascular disease and then use the basic science laboratory to ultimately benefit patients with vascular diseases.
Dr. Dardik trained at Yale, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Johns Hopkins Hospital before his appointment to the Yale faculty in 2001. In 2025, Dr. Dardik joined the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai where he serves as the System Vice Chair for Research as well as the Co-Director of the Jacobson Aortic Center in the Department of Surgery.