HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN VENOUS GRAFTS AND IN VARICOSE AND NONVARICOSE VEINS

Citation
Ak. Charles et Ga. Gresham, HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN VENOUS GRAFTS AND IN VARICOSE AND NONVARICOSE VEINS, Journal of Clinical Pathology, 46(7), 1993, pp. 603-606
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Pathology
ISSN journal
00219746
Volume
46
Issue
7
Year of publication
1993
Pages
603 - 606
Database
ISI
SICI code
0021-9746(1993)46:7<603:HCIVGA>2.0.ZU;2-E
Abstract
Aims-To examine veins histologically from different sites in the body to study the effect of venous pressure; and to examine veins used as a ortocoronary grafts. Methods-The axillary vein, femoral vein at the in guinal ligament, the short saphenous vein at the knee and the long sap henous vein at the ankle were removed from 24 necropsy cases of patien ts aged 2 months to 80 years. Fifteen varicose saphenous veins and 12 aortocoronary grafts removed at surgery were obtained. All were examin ed histologically. Results-Varying degrees of intimal thickening compo sed of collagen, elastin, and smooth muscle were found. These changes were most noticeable in the varicose veins. Intimal changes were also seen related to valves and to adjacent arteries. No clinically relevan t lipid was seen in the native veins, though atheromatous changes were seen in the grafts. Conclusions-Venous changes are related to venous pressure, to local haemodynamic effects, and probably to hypoxia. The changes are often focal and seem to be sequential in their formation. True atheroma is seen in the aortocoronary grafts but is not seen in n ative veins and this may be the result of additional factors.