A new rat model of arterial thrombosis with a platelet-rich head and an erythrocyte-rich tail: thrombolysis experiments with specific thrombin inhibition
Animal model paper published in Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis (1993)
Abstract
A model for thrombolysis in rats was developed. Repeated, focal external heating was applied to the carotid artery which leads to the development of a cyclic blood flow with slow, steady decreases followed by abrupt increases. When this cyclic blood flow stops spontaneously, the entire arterial segment (approximately 10 mm) can be demarcated with snares to create an arterial thrombus of fixed size, with a platelet-rich head and an erythrocyte-rich tail. The usefulness of the model was tested by evaluating the thrombolysis induced by a low dose of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) alone and rt-PA in combination with standard heparin and recombinant hirudin. Re-canalization of the artery was measured as blood flow and as the residual 125I-radioactivity in the artery at the end of the experiment, resulting from 125I-fibrinogen incorporated during the formation of the thrombus. Both blood flow and 125I-activity measurements show that hirudin, but not heparin in combination with rt-PA, significantly improves thrombolysis, which is in accordance with previous experimental findings. It is concluded that the model, with a thrombus resembling the thrombus found in man after coronary occlusion, enables complicated experiments with thrombolysis frequently performed only in large animals to be performed in rats.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Novel rat carotid artery thrombosis model with platelet-rich head and erythrocyte-rich tail; recombinant hirudin combined with rt-PA significantly improved thrombolysis vs heparin/rt-PA combination, demonstrating in a rat model what was previously seen in larger animals.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio desarrolló un modelo de trombosis de la arteria carótida en rata mediante lesión térmica focal repetida, produciendo un trombo con una cabeza rica en plaquetas y una cola rica en eritrocitos que se asemeja al trombo de oclusión coronaria humana. El modelo se evaluó comparando la trombólisis con rt-PA solo, rt-PA con heparina y rt-PA con hirudina recombinante. Tanto las mediciones de flujo sanguíneo como las de radiactividad residual de 125I-fibrinógeno mostraron que la hirudina combinada con rt-PA mejoró significativamente la recanalización, mientras que la heparina combinada con rt-PA no mejoró significativamente la trombólisis. La relevancia para el ámbito de la ASH es indirecta: el estudio emplea hirudina recombinante, pero no menciona sanguijuelas ni hirudoterapia. El estudio está limitado por su modelo en animales pequeños (rata) y por su enfoque primario en el desarrollo del modelo.
Citación
A new rat model of arterial thrombosis with a platelet-rich head and an erythrocyte-rich tail: thrombolysis experiments with specific thrombin inhibition.
Lenfors S et al. · Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis, 1993
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026