摘要Background:Aortic atherosclerosis increases the risk of embolic events under extra-corporeal circulation(ECC).To evaluate the hemodynamic impact of ECC on ather-omatous plaques,an atherosclerosis animal model,which is also eligible for ECC,is required.Methods:Twenty-nine New Zealand White rabbits received a pro-atherosclerotic diet(group diet,n=10),a pro-atherosclerotic diet and additional intraaortic balloon insufflation injury(group BI,n=9),or served as controls(n=10).After 3 or 6 months,aortic explants were analyzed by(immuno-)histology and RT-PCR.Results:Blood serum analyses revealed increased cholesterol-levels in groups diet and BI compared to controls(3 months:p=0.03 each,6 months:p＜0.0001 each).Aortic inflammatory infiltration was significantly enhanced in groups diet(CD3 at 3months:p＜0.0001,6months:p=0.02;CD68 at 3months:p=0.01)and BI(CD3 at 3months:p＜0.0001,6months:p=0.03;CD68 at 3months:p=0.04,6months:p=0.02).Increased intima hyperplasia occurred in both groups(p＜0.0001 each).Macroscopic analyses after 3 and 6 months showed ubiquitous lumen-narrowing aor-tic plaques.Calcification of the intima and media was increased in groups diet(intima:p＜0.0001 at 3 and 6months;media at 3months:p＜0.0001,6months:p=0.01)and BI(intima:p＜0.0001 at 3 and 6months;media at 3months:p＜0.0001,6months:p=0.02).Extensive lipid accumulation was found in the intima in both treatment groups(p＜0.0001 each).Conclusions:A rabbit model with high aortic calcific plaque burden-diet-induced with no implicit need of an additional intimal injury by an intraaortic balloon insuffla-tion due to comparable outcome-exhibiting multiple pathophysiological aspects of human atherosclerosis has been designed and thoroughly characterized.It is suitable for use in future studies on the interaction between atherosclerotic plaques and the arterial blood flow under ECC.