SHORT-TERM PRESERVATION OF AUTOGENOUS VEIN GRAFTS - EFFECTIVENESS OF UNIVERSITY-OF-WISCONSIN SOLUTION

Background. Suboptimal preservation of autologous veins in storage sol utions causes endothelial cell damage that can contribute to graft fai lure. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of short-te rm storage of veins in autologous whole blood (AWB), 0.9% normal salin e solution (NS), and University of Wisconsin solution (UWs) on vein st ructure and function after grafting. Methods. Autogenous jugular and f emoral veins were atraumatically harvested from mongrel dogs. One vein segment was immediately implanted to serve as a control, and the othe r segments were stored for 45 minutes in AWB, NS, or UWs. The veins we re implanted as reversed interposition graft in the carotid or femoral arteries. After 6 weeks light and scanning electron microscopy and is ometric tension studies were performed on explanted vein grafts. Resul ts. Morphologic studies revealed an intact endothelium that stained po sitively for factor VIII. Intimal thickness was similar between contro ls (48 +/- 12 mu m) and veins stored in UWs (53 +/- 8 mu m) (p = not s ignificant), but it was significantly increased in veins stored in AWB (151 +/- 29 mu m) and NS (149 +/- 18 mu m) (p < 0.05). Sensitivity an d maximum contraction to norepinephrine were not altered in veins pres erved in UWs (6.0 +/- 0.1 mu mol/L and 0.19 +/- 0.02 gm/mm(2)) but wer e significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in those stored in AWB (7.2 +/- 0.1 mu mol/L and 0.08 +/- 0.02 gm/mm(2)) and NS (7.0 +/- 0.3 mu mol/L and 0.09 +/- 0.02 gm/mm(2)) compared with control (5.9 +/- 0.2 mu mol/L a nd 0.20 +/- 0.02 gm/mm(2)). The sensitivity and maximum relaxation to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside of veins preserved in AWB, NS, and UWs were similar to controls (p = not significant. Conclusions. Ve in storage in UWs preserves smooth muscle cell function compared with veins stored in NS or AWB. Therefore UWs is a more suitable medium for short-term preservation of veins in cardiovascular operation.