Construction of the femoral artery thrombosis model in rabbits:the arterial elasticity changes before and after thrombolysis

Hu Xiao-mei; Guan Li-na; Alimina·Awen; Mu Yu-ming

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2016.49.011

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Ultrasonic technology has been extensively applied to evaluate the vascular elasticity changes, but thrombosis and elasticity changes of the proximal thrombus (the artery of proximal heart, 1 cm distance from the thrombosis) after revascularization are rarely reported. <br> OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the elasticity changes of the unilateral femoral artery of proximal thrombus in rabbits before and after thrombolysis utilizing ultrasonic technology. <br> METHODS:Models of unilateral femoral artery thrombosis were successful y prepared in 30 New Zealand white rabbits, and then given thrombolytic therapy by targeted microbubbles carrying urokinase under low-frequency ultrasound. The arterial expansion coefficient, compliance coefficient, elastic coefficient, stiffness, pulse wave velocity, augment index, as wel as systolic radial strain and radial strain rate before and after thrombosis and after thrombolysis were determined, respectively. <br> REAULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with before thrombosis, the arterial elastic coefficient, stiffness, pulse wave velocity and augment index were significantly increased in contrast to the significantly decreased arterial expansion coefficient, compliance coefficient, systolic radial strain and radial strain rate after thrombosis (P<0.05). Thrombolytic therapy significantly increased the arterial expansion coefficient, compliance coefficient, systolic radial strain and radial strain rate and eliminated the arterial elastic coefficient, stiffness, pulse wave velocity and augment index (P<0.05). In addition, the arterial elastic coefficient, stiffness, pulse wave velocity and augment index after complete revascularization were significantly higher than those before thrombosis (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in the arterial expansion coefficient, compliance coefficient, systolic radial strain and radial strain rate between two groups. In conclusion, thrombosis contributes to the increased arterial stiffness and elasticity dysfunction, and thrombolytic therapy can, but not completely, improve artery elastic function.