Evaluation of a new model of hind limb ischemia in rabbits

An in vivo animal model of critical limb ischemia, consisting of surgical excision of the superficial femoral artery, presents limitations to prove the efficacy of therapies designed to improve arterial perfusion and collateral growth, such as stem cell treatment. The natural propensity of collaterals to overcome the proximal arterial occlusion usually precludes the onset of significant critical limb ischemia. We evaluated the efficacy of a new model of rabbit hindlimb ischemia created through a percutaneous approach using embolization of distal hind vessels by calibrated particles that may overcome some of limitations of existing animal models and prove useful for future studies.