DEVELOPMENT OF AN AVIAN MODEL FOR RESTENOSIS

Recurrence of atherosclerotic plaque growth after interventional thera py, restenosis, is a significant clinical problem occurring in 20%-50% of cases, We have developed a new avian model for the investigation o f restenosis after arterial injury in cholesterol fed White Leghorn ro osters. Atherosclerotic plaque growth 1-30 weeks after angioplasty bal loon mediated endothelial injury in the abdominal aorta was studied in 37 roosters. Roosters were maintained on either normal poultry diet o r high cholesterol diet. Twelve cholesterol fed roosters were also fed a hormone supplemented diet in order to modify plaque morphology. The procedural success rate was high. Angiographic stenoses (mean 36% wit h maximum of 74%) were detectable in cholesterol fed roosters after ba lloon angioplasty with associated histological evidence of plaque grow th (P < 0.017). Cholesterol feeding enhanced fatty plaque growth; horm one manipulation increased calcific and ulcerated plaque but with high associated morbidity. Three interventional devices were subsequently examined in 32 roosters (16 laser angioplasty, 7 atherectomy, and 9 st ent implant), Plaque development was again assessed by contrast angiog raphy and histological analysis. We conclude that balloon mediated art erial injury in cholesterol fed roosters produces early proliferative and late, complex atherosclerotic lesions providing an inexpensive mod el for plaque development after intimal injury.