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Updated: May 17, 2026
Real-Time Monitoring and Modulation of Blood Pressure in a Rabbit Model of Ischemic Stroke
Published on: February 10, 2023
Three variations in rabbit angiographic stroke models
William C Culp1, Sean D Woods, Aliza T Brown
1Department of Radiology, 4301 West Markham Street, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA. culpwilliamc@uams.edu
Purpose:
To develop angiographic models of embolic stroke in the rabbit using pre-formed clot or microspheres to model clinical situations ranging from transient ischemic events to severe ischemic stroke.
Materials And Methods:
New Zealand White rabbits (N=151) received angiographic access to the internal carotid artery (ICA) from a femoral approach. Variations of emboli type and quantity of emboli were tested by injection into the ICA. These included fresh clots (1.0-mm length, 3-6h), larger aged clots (4.0-mm length, 3 days), and 2 or 3 insoluble microspheres (700-900 μm). Neurological assessment scores (NAS) were based on motor, sensory, balance, and reflex measures. Rabbits were euthanized at 4, 7, or 24h after embolization, and infarct volume was measured as a percent of total brain volume using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC).
Results:
Infarct volume percent at 24 h after stroke was lower for rabbits embolized with fresh clot (0.45±0.14%), compared with aged clot (3.52±1.31%) and insoluble microspheres (3.39±1.04%). Overall NAS (including posterior vessel occlusions) were positively correlated to infarct volume percent measurements in the fresh clot (r=0.50), aged clot (r=0.65) and microsphere (r=0.62) models (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
The three basic angiographic stroke models may be similar to human transient ischemic attacks (TIA) (fresh clot), major strokes that can be thrombolysed (aged clot), or major strokes with insoluble emboli such as atheromata (microspheres). Model selection can be tailored to specific research needs.
