Characterization of the extent and depth of hydrothermal systems at volcanoes prone to phreatic eruptions (e.g., magnetotelluric methods) and assessment of conduit conditions represent a fruitful approach for assessing the potential of volcano-hydrothermal systems to produce type 1 or type 2 phreatic eruptions, which have distinct and different implications for hazard assessment.
Preventive measures include matching and quality assessment of conduit and target vessel, lipid-lowering drugs, antithrombotic therapy, and cessation of smoking.
Therefore, it has been proposed that peak artery diameter may serve as a more appropriate assessment of conduit structure (Naylor et al. 2005) than resting measurements.
Previously reported experiments on forearm conduit arteries allow the assessment of endothelial function, but the retinal blood vessels share more similarities in development and anatomy with the microvasculature of the heart, lungs, and brain (Wong et al. 2006a).
However, the upper-arm occlusion technique is not currently recommended for assessment of conduit artery endothelial function because it may also reflect several additional physiological mechanisms in addtion to endothelial NO production [ 32].
The ongoing innovation in biomaterial design generates novel conduits that require preclinical assessment in vivo, and a number of animal models have been used for this purpose.
For radiological assessment of the conduit, reconstruction algorithm called Xper-CT, where the flat detector C-arm can perform volume acquisitions through back projection computed tomography (CT) reconstructions with a 0.5 mm slice thickness, was used [ 14].
The large- and small-animal models are then explored, highlighting the characteristics of each that determine their relative utility in the assessment of vascular conduits.
Finally, recommendations are given for the selection of animal models for the assessment of future vascular conduits.
This article examines the rationale behind animal models used in the assessment of small-diameter vascular conduits encompassing the commonly used species: baboons, sheep, pigs, dogs, rabbits, and rodents.
However, in other cases (e.g., access to databases) the post-assessment workshops served as a conduit for dialogue to reconcile different perceptions and arrive at shared understandings.
