Table 2.

Features of Different Animal Models of Atherosclerosis and Their Utility in the Validation of Emergent Imaging and Therapeutic Technologies

	Mice (60 Weeks)	Rabbit (8 Months)	Swine (~ 12 Months)
Pathology of atherosclerosis similar to humans	+	++	+++
Prominent necrotic core	++	+	+++
Positive vascular remodeling	+++	++	+++
Thinned fibrous cap	+++	++	++
Evidence of plaque rupture	+++	+	++*
Known genetic background	+++	++†	++†
Simple development method	++	++	++
Metabolic profile similar to humans	+	+	+++‡
Short development time (<6 months)	++	+++	++§
Ability to perform noninvasive imaging	++	++	++
Ability to perform invasive imaging	—	++	+++
Ability to perform systemic therapeutic interventions	++	++	++
Ability to perform invasive therapeutic procedures	—	++	+++
Development cost	+	++	+++

^*Usually evident as intraplaque hemorrhage.

^†The Watanabe rabbit and the FH swine have well-characterized genetic backgrounds.

^‡Except for persistently low triglyceride levels.

^§Lesions develop in the diabetic swine between 5 and 9 months.