ABSTRACT

Swine are a naturally atherogenic species, and as in humans, the extent and severity of the disease progresses over many years. The development of advanced atherosclerotic disease in swine can be accelerated by dietary manipulation with or without vascular trauma. Experimental swine models with occlusive vascular disease manifest complications of atherosclerosis such as myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, and sudden death. The histopathology of swine atherosclerosis compares very favorably with both early and moderately advanced human lesions. Swine models of atherosclerosis have been, and continue to be, valuable tools for studying the pathophysiology and treatment of human atherosclerosis.