Animal Models for Atherosclerosis, Restenosis, and Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

Animal models have significantly advanced the understanding of mechanisms involved in atherosclerosis and restenosis and have allowed the evaluation of therapeutic options. The current focus of research is to develop strategies to prevent restenosis. These include pharmacological and biological interventions directed primarily against smooth muscle cell proliferation, endovascular devices for recanalization and/or drug delivery, and an integrated approach using both devices and pharmacobiological agents. Devices aimed at the percutaneous endoluminal exclusion of aortic aneurysms have also generated a great deal of interest. Experience over many decades with animal models for vascular research has established that a single, ideal model for atherosclerosis, restenosis, or aneurysm formation does not exist, although recent development of transgenic variants of currently available models has widened the available options. Nevertheless, an appreciation of the individual features of natural or stimulated disease in each species is of the utmost importance for the proper design and execution of relevant experiments.