Long-term Patency of Vein Grafts Preserved in Liquid Nitrogen in Dimethyl Sulfoxide

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Abstract
Autogenous canine jugular veins were stored in 15% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in liquid nitrogen vapor for one to 28 days and then implanted in the carotid artery as autografts. The patency rate at one year was 62.5-87.5%. The patency rate of fresh jugular vein autografts placed in the carotid artery for one year was 75%. Similar autografts stored in liquid nitrogen vapor for one to 28 days without the cryopreservative DMSO exhibited a zero to 12.5% patency rate at one year. Scanning electron microscope studies revealed preservation of theendothelium in DMSO protected veins and a damaged or sloughed endothelium in veins frozen without DMSO cryopreservation.