A hindlimb ischemia model in rabbits.

Objective To establish an experimental animal model of limb ischemia. Methods In the left hindlimb of 10 New Zealand White rabbits,ischemia was induced by arteries excision from distal external iliac artery to superficial femoral artery and all collateral arteries after ligation of common femoral arteries 1 week later,and then both hindlimbs were serially examined to assess the ischemia according to the time table until postoperative 6 weeks.Results Clinical observation,blood pressure,radioisotopic perfusion scan and angiography were assessed.Clinical ischemic changes(cyanopathy,necrosis)of the operated limbs were observed in 40%.The blood pressure of the left calves was measurable on postoperative day 3(P0.05,VS preoperative day)and then gradually increased to reach a plateau in postoperative week 6.Radioisotopic arterial perfusion showed similar profiles as in blood pressure.Angiography of ischemia hindlimbs demonstrated a few collateral vessels arising from the internal ilial artery with the reconstitution of popliteal artery in postoperative week 2.In postoperative week 6,collaterals remained the same in number.However,these vessels became dilated and tortuous,and showed reconstitution in distal hindlimb.Conclusion Persistent hindlimb ischemia model in the rabbit was made successfully.