INDUCED THROMBOSIS IN THE PIG INFERIOR VENA-CAVA - A MODEL OF DEEP VENOUS THROMBOSIS

PURPOSE: To establish a new animal model of deep venous thrombosis. MA TERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen young pigs underwent temporary interrupti on of the inferior vena cava (IVC) below the entry of the right renal vein by means of either a silicone band (surgical technique, n = 6) or an intraluminal balloon catheter (endovascular technique, n = 9), fol lowed by injection of absolute ethanol. Lumbar veins within 3 cm below the obstruction were ligated or occluded interventionally. The iatrog enic caval obstruction was relieved after 2 days. RESULTS: Procedure-r elated mortality was 33% (n = 2) and 11% (n = 1) for the surgical and endovascular groups, respectively. An adherent, occlusive thrombus was found in all four of the remaining surgically treated animals and in six of eight animals treated percutaneously. The IVC remained patent i n two animals in whom balloon migration occurred. Severe caval stenosi s invariably occurred after surgical banding. CONCLUSION: IVC thrombi suitable for the study of various recanalization therapies can be reli ably created with this pig model.