Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026
Real-Time Monitoring and Modulation of Blood Pressure in a Rabbit Model of Ischemic Stroke
Published on: February 10, 2023
New mechanical thrombectomy model in the rabbit: A feasibility study
T Haider1, R Plasenzotti2, H Bergmeister3
1University Clinic for Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Cerebrovascular Research Group, Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung, Juchgasse 25, A-1030 Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster for Cardiovascular Research, Vienna, Austria.
Background And Purpose:
Thrombolytic therapy represented the gold standard for the treatment of ischemic stroke. Its drawbacks include increased bleeding risk and low recanalization rates. Mechanical thrombectomy is a new promising therapy option. Devices used for this procedure were substantially improved during recent years. New devices require extensive preclinical invivo testing. We therefore sought to translate the commonly used pig model to a simplified and cheaper rabbit model.
Materials And Methods:
We performed thromboembolisation in eight intubated and sedated adult female New Zealand white rabbits. The thrombus was created by careful rotation of autologous blood in a silicone tube and addition of barium sulfate for radiopacity. We injected the artificial thrombus via a catheter through the cannulated femoral artery. After thromboembolisation, 2D-DSA was performed to evaluate location and thrombus dimensions.
Comparison With Exisiting Method(S):
None.
Results:
No complications or mortality were observed in our series. In seven cases (87.5%) the location of the thromboembolism was the maxillary artery and in one case (12.5%) the thrombus reached the occipital artery. The radiopaque thrombus had a length of 7.0±4.55mm invivo. Vessel diameters in angiographic evaluation were 2.44±0.21mm for the common carotid artery and 2.1±0.16mm for the maxillary artery.
Conclusions:
The novel small animal model for mechanical thrombectomy in rabbit is technically feasible and cheap. It offers comparable vessel diameters to cranial arteries and closely mimics human coagulation system.
