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(Stroke. 2008;39:1613.)
© 2008 American Heart Association, Inc.

Research Letters

Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in the Rabbit Using Selective Angiography

Application for Assessment of Thrombolysis

Reza Jahan, MD; Daphne Stewart, MD; Harry V. Vinters, MD; William Yong, MD; Fernando Vinuela, MD; Pete Vandeberg, MD Victor J. Marder, MD

From the Departments of Radiological Sciences (R.J., F.V.), Medicine (D.S., V.J.M.), Pathology & Laboratory Medicine (H.V.V., W.Y.), Neurology (H.V.V., V.J.M.), David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, Calif; and R&D BioAnalytics (P.V.), Talecris Biotherapeutics, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Correspondence to Reza Jahan, MD, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, B2-188 CHS/Box 951721, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1721. E-mail rjahan{at}mednet.ucla.edu

Abstract

Background and Purpose— An animal model of selective middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion is needed for evaluation of intra-arterial (IA) delivery of thrombolytic agents. We describe a technique for MCA thrombo-occlusion in the rabbit with real-time angiographic documentation of occlusion and thrombolytic recanalization.

Methods— After femoral artery cutdown, a microcatheter was advanced from the internal carotid artery to the MCA. MCA occlusion was achieved by IA thrombin and reperfusion by IA plasmin.

Results— The terminal internal carotid artery was successfully catheterized in 12 of 13 animals. Stable (2-hour) MCA occlusion was induced and verified angiographically in all 12 animals; 2 animals also had distal internal carotid artery thrombus. Recanalization was achieved rapidly after IA plasmin in 3 of 3 animals.

Conclusions— We describe a new animal model of selective MCA occlusion documented by real-time angiography and used to demonstrate recanalization with IA plasmin.

Key Words: animal model • ischemic stroke • middle cerebral artery • thrombolysis