A TECHNIQUE TO INVESTIGATE MURAL THROMBUS FORMATION IN SMALL ARTERIESAND VEINS .1. COMPARATIVE MORPHOMETRIC AND HISTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Numerous clinically relevant animal models exist for thrombosis studie s. Few of these are suitable for both arteries and veins. In this inve stigation, an established venous thrombosis model was adapted through minimal technical adjustments to allow also the study of arterial thro mbosis. A standardized subintimal crush injury was performed to caroti d arteries or femoral veins of hamsters. Thrombus volumes were then qu antified by direct morphometric measurements from serial microscopic s ections or by on-line image analysis of light intensity changes from t ransilluminated vessels. The platelet-rich mural thrombus, which was e stablished within minutes of the trauma, disintegrated during the obse rvation period. The life cycle of the thrombus was different in arteri es and veins, but significant linear correlation (p < 0.01) was found in both types of vessel between thrombus volumes measured by the two t echniques. The model can consequently be used for comparative in vivo thrombosis studies in small (approximate to 1-mm) arteries and veins.