title: Role of Animal Models in Coronary Stenting.
abstract: Coronary angioplasty initially employed balloon dilatation only. This technique revolutionized the treatment of coronary artery disease, although outcomes were compromised by acute vessel closure, late constrictive remodeling, and restenosis due to neointimal proliferation. These processes were studied in animal models, which contributed to understanding the biology of endovascular arterial injury. Coronary stents overcome acute recoil, with improvements in the design and metallurgy since then, leading to the development of drug-eluting stents and bioresorbable scaffolds. These devices now undergo computer modeling and benchtop and animal testing before evaluation in clinical trials. Animal models, including rabbit, sheep, dog and pig are available, all with individual benefits and limitations. In smaller mammals, such as mouse and rabbit, the target for stenting is generally the aorta; whereas in larger animals, such as the pig, it is generally the coronary artery. The pig coronary stenting model is a gold-standard for evaluating safety; but insights into biomechanical properties, the biology of stenting, and efficacy in controlling neointimal proliferation can also be gained. Intra-coronary imaging modalities such as intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography allow precise serial evaluation in vivo, and recent developments in genetically modified animal models of atherosclerosis provide realistic test beds for future stents and scaffolds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Javaid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chamberlain
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Sheila E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. j.gunn@sheffield.ac.uk.|Medical School, M116, Beech Hill Road, Sheffield, S10 2RX, UK. j.gunn@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gunn
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D000818:Animals; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D051379:Mice; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D011817:Rabbits; D015607:Stents; D013552:Swine
keywords: Animal models; Coronary artery; Stents