Pathologic and histologic results of electrical impulses in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis: 24-hour versus 8-hour regimen.

Objective: Low frequency electrical impulses (EIs) reduce new atherosclerotic plaque formation in previously diseased arteries and may reverse the extent of previous pathologic damage in these structures.

Methods: A pacemaker was implanted on the left side of rabbit abdominal aortas, and an electrode was placed close to the other side of the aorta in the psoas major muscle. For the induction of atherosclerosis, the rabbits were placed on a high cholesterol diet (HCD) for 11 weeks.