Long-term intermittent compression increases arteriographic collaterals in a rabbit model of femoral artery occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of intermittent limb compression on arterial collateral formation in a rabbit-model.


METHODS
Animal study.


METHODS
New Zealand rabbits (n=11), aged 2-years, weight of at least 4.0 kg, underwent bilateral superficial femoral artery ligation. In ten of these, the experimental leg underwent 60 minutes of daily intermittent compression for a ten week period with 3 sec/90 mmHg pressure inflation and a cycle of 3 times per minute. The contra-lateral limbs were not treated. At the end of the ten-week period, high-resolution angiograms were obtained by barium infusion into the aorta. The angiograms were analyzed in a blinded manner and the number of collateral arteries larger than 100 microns, was counted. Following perfusion-fixation, histological specimens of transverse sections of the compressed semi-membranous muscle were examined.


RESULTS
The compressed limbs demonstrated a significantly (8.1+/-.87 vs 6.0+/-.97; p<0.005) greater number of collateral vessels, ranging in size from 100-700 microns, as compared to the control sides. The mean size of collaterals in the compressed limbs was not significantly different (0.33+/-0.17 vs 0.31+/-0.16). Microscopic examination of the collaterals confirmed remodeling by a typical neo-intima consisting of 6-7 cell-layers.


CONCLUSIONS
Intermittent limb compression increases the number of angiographical collateral arteries.
van Bemmelen
P S
PS
Department of Surgery, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA. vanbemp@tuhs.temple.edu
Choudry
R G
RG
Salvatore
M D
MD
Goldenberg
M
M
Goldman
B I
BI
Blebea
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D048228:Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices; D008026:Ligation; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D011312:Pressure; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors
D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate