Patency of Venous Grafts in Small Veins

Abstract
• Venous autografts were prepared in jugular veins of rabbits as a test model to determine the usefulness of antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents (aspirin and warfarin sodium) alone or in combination for maintaining patency in the reconstruction of small veins. Graft patency was determined by periodic venography and postmortem examination. The grafts clotted in all of the untreated controls, five of six animals receiving aspirin, and three of four receiving warfarin, but in none of the animals receiving the combination of aspirin and warfarin. (Arch Surg 112:1072-1074, 1977)