[en] Objective: To investigate the effects of intravascular β-irradiation with a liquid ¹⁸⁸Re-filled balloon on restenosis in rabbit model, and to evaluate the feasibility of the intravascular irradiation. Methods: The bilateral iliac arteries of 14 rabbits were injured by catheter balloon overdilation. A random side iliac artery of the rabbit was irradiated by a liquid ¹⁸⁸Re-filled balloon with the radioactivity of 15 Gy at a depth of 0.5 mm beneath the skin close to the artery, and the other iliac artery served as a control. At 12 weeks after operation, quantitative angiography, histopathology and immunohistochemistry analysis were performed in the injured iliac arteries to evaluate the effects of irradiation. Results: There was significant increase in iliac artery diameter [(1.94 +- 0.19) vs (1.77 +- 0.28) mm, P<0.05)], and significant decrease in neointimal area [(1.12 +- 0.75) vs (2.17 +- 1.21) mm², P<0.01], percent stenosis area [(19.23 +- 12.60)% vs (34.45 +- 17.49)%, P<0.01], and the proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) positive rate of vascular smooth muscle cells [(3.75+-2.09)% vs (5.64 +- 1.74)%, P<0.05] in ¹⁸⁸Re-filled balloon irradiation group compared with control group. Conclusions: Intravascular β-irradiation by a liquid ¹⁸⁸Re-filled balloon with 15 Gy at 0.5 mm tissue depth beneath the skin close to the artery in rabbit model could inhibit neointimal proliferation and prevent restenosis. The intravascular brachytherapy with irradiation for prevention of restenosis is technically feasible