Preparation of Venous Allografts

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Abstract
In order to evaluate alternate techniques of preparing veins for use as homografts, 102 femoral veins were harvested from adult mongrel dogs. The veins were treated in 4 different ways, then transplanted in recipient animals bypassing their ligated femoral arteries. Group I; 24 veins (6 cm each) were harvested and immediately transplanted. Group II; 24 veins were stored in 15% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO ) solution at -120.degree. C for 21 days prior to transplantation. Group III; 26 veins were stored for 21 days in plasminate solution at -60.degree. C prior to use as allografts. Group IV; 28 veins were stored in 0.5% glutaral-dehyde solution for 21 days prior to implantation. Animals were randomly sacrificed at 1-mo., 2-mo., 6-mo. and 12-mo. intervals. Patency of the transplant was determined weekly by ultrasound. Specimens were sent for light and scanning electron microscopy at the time of harvest, prior to implantation, and at sacrifice. Endothelial damage was graded on a scale of 0-16. Veins in group II had a significantly higher patency rate (68% at 1 yr) than group III (35%) and group IV (11%) (P < 0.05). The intimal layer of all patent vessels was replaced by an organized mural thrombus. Partial endothelialization of the luminal surface was most prevalent in group II. Intimal damage related to storage technique was significant in group III (P < 0.01). At sacrifice, severe endothelial damage was present in all groups (P < 0.01). Veins stored in 15% DMSO solution at -120 C have immunologic and physical characteristics that yield patency rates acceptable for clinical use when autogenous tissue is not available.