Angiogenic activity of the atherosclerotic carotid artery plaque

278 atherosclerotic plaque fragments from 12 consecutive patients with symptoms of cerebral ischemia and angiographic stenosis and/or ulceration undergoing carotid endarterectomy, and 80 control tissues (32 nonatherosclerotic human uterine artery, 26 normal rabbit carotid artery, 22 boiled plaque). Bioassay performed in 2.5-kg adult male New Zealand White rabbits.

Implantation of atherosclerotic plaque fragments (cellular and acellular zones) into rabbit corneal micropockets.

Implantation of control tissues (boiled atherosclerotic plaque, normal rabbit carotid artery, nonatherosclerotic human uterine artery).

Angiogenesis (proliferation of new blood vessels from the limbal plexus appearing within 72 hours and migrating to the implant for a distance of 1 mm or more).surrogate