Transluminal angioplasty: correlation of morphologic and angiographic findings in an experimental model

The morphologic consequences of transluminal angioplasty of stenotic atherosclerotic coronary arteries are unknown. This study describes the production of aortoiliac atherosclerosis in rabbits and reports the morphologic changes after transluminal angioplasty of stenotic arterial lesions. Atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated angiographically before and after transluminal angioplasty and were studied histologically and by electron microscopy after angioplasty. Moderatley stenotic aortic segments showed denudation of endothelial cells and deposition of a carpet of platelets enmeshed in fibrin. Medial and intimal compression were not seen. Intimal plaque disruption and splitting of atheromatous plaques were observed in more stenotic vessels where dilatation during angioplasty is relatively greater. Transluminal angioplasty, therefore, acutely causes desquamation of endothelial cells and superficial plaque elements, splitting of atheroma and subsequent deposition of platelets and fibrin in the area of angioplasty. This experimental model may be useful to evaluate the morphologic changes after angioplasty and might be used in further studies to determine the long-term pathophysiologic changes after transluminal angioplasty.