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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Preclinical Model of Hind Limb Ischemia in Diabetic Rabbits
Published on: June 2, 2019
Long-term intermittent compression increases arteriographic collaterals in a rabbit model of femoral artery occlusion
P S van Bemmelen1, R G Choudry, M D Salvatore
1Department of Surgery, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA. vanbemp@tuhs.temple.edu
Objectives:
To assess the effects of intermittent limb compression on arterial collateral formation in a rabbit-model.
Design:
Animal study.
Material And Methods:
New Zealand rabbits (n=11), aged 2-years, weight of at least 4.0 kg, underwent bilateral superficial femoral artery ligation. In ten of these, the experimental leg underwent 60 minutes of daily intermittent compression for a ten week period with 3 sec/90 mmHg pressure inflation and a cycle of 3 times per minute. The contra-lateral limbs were not treated. At the end of the ten-week period, high-resolution angiograms were obtained by barium infusion into the aorta. The angiograms were analyzed in a blinded manner and the number of collateral arteries larger than 100 microns, was counted. Following perfusion-fixation, histological specimens of transverse sections of the compressed semi-membranous muscle were examined.
Results:
The compressed limbs demonstrated a significantly (8.1+/-.87 vs 6.0+/-.97; p<0.005) greater number of collateral vessels, ranging in size from 100-700 microns, as compared to the control sides. The mean size of collaterals in the compressed limbs was not significantly different (0.33+/-0.17 vs 0.31+/-0.16). Microscopic examination of the collaterals confirmed remodeling by a typical neo-intima consisting of 6-7 cell-layers.
Conclusions:
Intermittent limb compression increases the number of angiographical collateral arteries.
