A study of neovascularization in the rat ischemic hindlimb using Araldite casting and Spalteholtz tissue clearing

We describe an alternative approach to study neovascularization in animal models. This method, which combines Araldite plastic vascular casting with Spalteholtz tissue clearing, preserves all vasculature as well as the surrounding tissue. In a small time series in rat ischemic hindlimbs, we show that restoration of blood flow after ischemia not only involves newly formed collaterals, but also recanalization of previously thrombosed arterial segments.