INCREASE IN THE LUMEN OF THE FEMORAL-ARTERY IN DOGS WITH AN ARTERIOTOMY ENCIRCLED BY GLUTARALDEHYDE-TANNED CALF PERICARDIUM

A fast and simple experimental method of arterioplasty that produces e nduring enlargement of the lumen of large arteries is described. We st udied the long-term intraluminal patency of femoral arteries of four d ogs subjected to a procedure in which a longitudinal 3-cm loophole was made in the artery and left open inside a girdling cylinder of glutar aldehyde-tanned calf pericardium. One year later, Doppler ultrasound a nd histological studies were performed in the operated and contralater al arteries. Lasting enlargement of the lumen was obtained along the 3 -cm arteriotomy. The mean cross-sectional internal diameter in the mid dle of the surgical area was 2.2 +/- 0.1 mm, in contrast to 1.2 +/- 0. 2mm in the non-operated contralateral artery (P < 0.01). The ultrasoun d study showed an increase in blood flow and histological analysis dem onstrated a threefold increase in the internal area of the arterial lu men, and new endothelium, which fully covered the operated seg ment. O ur results showed an enduring increase in the lumen in segments of lar ge arteries subjected to our new arterioplasty procedure.