[Anatomo-histological consequences of arterial dilatation using the balloon catheter. Preliminary studies in the rabbit].

Histopathologic changes were evaluated after arterial dilatation in a group of 8 rabbits. Rabbits were given an atherogenic diet and then aortic disendothelialization performed using a Fogarthy catheter. This was followed three to five months later by percutaneous angioplasty using a balloon catheter. Animals were sacrificed and histology of arterial segments determined. Findings showed thickening of intima with lipophagic infiltration. In contrast, the media was greatly altered with rupture of internal elastic fibers and a true cleavage plane suggestive of subadventitial dissection: the adventia was not modified.