Animal models of vulnerable plaque. Clinical context and current status.

There is increasing recognition of the importance of vulnerable plaque and acute plaque rupture leading to thrombosis, in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes. This is fueling a number of developments, including novel imaging modalities and potential plaque stabilization therapies. However, to date, no animal model of vulnerable plaque or plaque rupture has been established. Recent developments, particularly using Apo E knockout mice, appear set to provide key breakthroughs. The present status of our understanding of plaque vulnerability is therefore discussed, with a discussion of these current advances in animal models.