This study was performed to establish an experimental model of ischemia for the investigation
of new treatment modality of limb-threatening ischemia. We produced ischemia in the hindlimbs
of 8 New Zealand white rabbits. Under general anesthesia, the left femoral artery was exposed,
freed, and excised from distal external iliac artery to proximal popliteal and saphenous arteries.
And then both hindlimbs were serially examined to assess the ischemia according to the time table
until postoperative 6 weeks. We assessed clinical observation, blood pressure, radioisotopic
perfusion scan, and angiography. Clinical ischemic changes of the operated feet were observed
in 63%. The blood pressure of left calves was measurable on postoperative day 3 (p<0.05, vs
preoperative day 2) and then gradually increased to reach a plateau in postoperative week 6.
Radioisotopic arterial perfusion showed similar profiles as in blood pressure. Angiography of
ischemic hindlimbs demonstrated a few collateral vessels arising from the internal iliac artery
with the reconstitution of the posterior tibial artery in postoperative week 2. In postoperative
week 6, collaterals remained the same in number. However, these became dilated and tortuous and
showed reconstitution in distal hindleg. In conclusion, this is a reproducible, measurable, and
economical animal model of hind limb ischemia.
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