RESUMEN
Objective To explore a reliable, simple and minimally invasive approach for establishing rat models of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Methods The rat model of IVH was established by stereotactic injection of autologous arterial blood into the right lateral ventricle. The neurobehavioral scores of the rats were recorded at different time points after the injection, and the pathological changes in the ventricular and periventricular brain tissues were observed. Results IVH was successfully induced in 88.9% of the rats, which exhibited significant behavioral changes 6 h after IVH. The behavioral abnormalities were ameliorated 7 days after intraventricular injection of the blood. Optical microscopy showed ruptured continuity of the ependymal lining of the lateral ventricle, enlargement of the intercellular space, periventricular edema and neuronal necrosis in periependymal tissues 24 h after IVH. Conclusion The approach we adopted allows convenient establishment of a stable IVH model in rats with minimal invasiveness and pathological changes closely resembling those in patients with IVH.