Short-term rapamycin for inhibition of neointima formation after balloon-mediated aortic injury in rats: is there a window of opportunity for systemic prophylaxis of restenosis?

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of limited short-term systemic administration of rapamycin to prevent neointimal intimal hyperplasia (NIH) in a double-injury rat model of restenosis.

Methods: Aortic lesions were induced by perivascular placement of silicone cuffs around the aorta of 36 Lewis rats. After 3 weeks, the cuffs were removed, and the vessels were subjected to secondary balloon injury.

Characterization of a new double-injury restenosis model in the rat aorta.

Purpose: To characterize a new rat model of restenosis for evaluation of local or systemic drug strategies.

Methods: Arterial lesions were induced by placement of silicone cuffs around the aorta of Lewis rats. After 21 days, the cuffs were removed, and a subgroup of rat aortas was subjected to secondary balloon injury.