Objectives: To assess the influence of lumbar sympathectomy on intimal thickening and arterial remodelling following balloon de-endothelialisation.
Design: Experimental animal model with control and treated (sympathectomy) groups.
Methods: Unilateral common iliac artery de-endothelialisation was performed in 36 male pigs using a 5F balloon catheter introduced via the profunda femoris artery. Bilateral lumbar sympathectomies were performed in 18 animals. Both iliac arteries were perfusion-fixed and harvested 4 weeks later. Arterial morphometry was assessed using computer image analysis.
Results: Area measurements are expressed as median (interquartile range) in mm2. Balloon injury resulted in significant intimal thickening but no loss of lumen due to compensatory enlargement of the injured artery. Sympathectomy resulted in significant lumen enlargement (4.8 (2.6-6.3) vs. 1.9 (1.7-2.9)) in balloon-injured arteries. Although intimal thickening was reduced (0.9 (0.6-1.7) vs. 1.5 (0.9-2.0)), this was not statistically significant.
Conclusions: Sympathectomy increases lumen area 4 weeks after balloon injury to porcine iliac arteries. This effect is due to a combination of reduced arterial wall thickening and increased arterial size.