Restenosis and Hyperplasia: Animal Models

Coronary restenosis after percutaneous interventions remains a major clinical problem even in the days of coronary stents. Understanding the pathophysiologic mechanisms and the assessment of therapies for the prevention of restenosis relies on experimental animal models. This article describes the most frequently used animal models of coronary artery restenosis and the differences among them. The variable response to injury in the different models should be considered in the interpretation of the effective therapies before they are transferred into clinical trials. The rat carotid model played an important role as a pioneer in animal models for restenosis but has failed to predict results of clinical restenosis. This lack of predictability highlights a fundamental lack of understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms that control vascular healing after injury.