In recent years there has been intensive research on the use of ionizing radiation for inhibition of intimal hyperplasia (IH). Results have clearly established that beta ionizing radiation delivered from an endoluminal source after angioplasty inhibits intimal restenosis. This effect has been confirmed by recent multicenter clinical trials in patients undergoing coronary dilatation. The purpose of this study was to determine if gamma radiation therapy delivered superficially from an external source also reduced smooth muscle cell proliferation in two animals models-the first involving experimentally induced restenosis and the second involving anastomosis between a prosthesis and artery. Ultimately we hope to develop a therapeutic application for patients undergoing peripheral anastomoses, especially in the lower extremities. Two different animal models were used in this two-stage study. The first-stage rabbit model (model 1) involved balloon injury of the aorta to validate the dose effect of external beam irradiation. The second-stage porcine model (model 2) involved aortic bypass followed by external beam irradiation of the distal anastomosis site. In model 1 a total of 56 rabbits were studied. They were divided into five groups including one control group in which external radiation was not applied after balloon injury and four test groups in which external radiation was applied in a single fraction on day 0 at four different doses: 10 grays, 15 grays, 20 grays, and 25 grays. In model 2, a total of 24 pigs underwent aortic bypass with a 6-mm PTFE graft followed by irradiation of the distal end-to-side anastomosis at a dose of 20 grays on day 0. In both models specimens were harvested after 6 weeks and studied histologically after staining with HES and orcein, histomorphometrically by measuring intimal hyperplasia, and immunohistochemically using actin and factor VIII/von Willebrand factor (F VIII/vWF). The zones of study on the anastomosis were separated into base of the artery to the tip and heel of the anastomosis and the edge of the arteriotomy. Measurements were compared using the Mann Whitney test. In the first-stage model designed to study IH in rabbits, mean intimal and medial thickness values and the intima-to-media ratio showed no difference between the control group and the groups irradiated at doses of 10 grays and 15 grays (p = 0.111, p = 0.405, and p = 0.14); (p = 0.301, p = 0.206, and p = 0.199). Conversely, there was a significant difference between the control group and the groups irradiated at 20 grays and 25 grays (p < 0.0001, p = 0.107 and p = 0.008; p = 0.008, p = 0.155, and p = 0.008). Histological examination demonstrated extensive changes in the wall with high-grade fibrosis after application of ionizing radiation. In the second-stage swine model, irradiation significantly inhibited development of IH at the level of anastomosis both at the base of the artery (p < 0.01) (tip 0.06 vs. 0.27 mm and heel 0.04 vs. 0.36) and at the level of the arteriotomy at the suture site (p < 0.001) (0.13 vs. 0.86 mm). Immunochemical analysis of the thickened zones showed a positive reaction of endothelial cells to smooth muscle actin and F VII/vWF. Like irradiation applied using an endoluminal source, superficial gamma ionizing radiation from an external source inhibits IH. Analysis of the dose effect showed that the overall dose must be between 15 and 20 grays. External radiation also reduces overall IH at the anastomosis between a prosthesis and artery. Although these experimental data are promising, further study will probably be necessary before attempting to undertake clinical trials using external beam radiation therapy for patients undergoing peripheral anastomoses.