Abstract
Numerous are the reports on the preparation techniques of human saphenous vein grafts in order to maximize the rate of graft patency after implantation. The aim of all methods is to preserve the morphological as well as the functional integrity of the vein wall. One of the most important layers in the vein wall is the endothelium as it forms the barrier between the intravascular and extravascular compartment. The preservation of the endothelium is the major goal of all preparation techniques.1–4 The endothelial cells are selective in their permeability, form a nonthrombogenic surface, have several receptors for low density lipoproteins, produce growth factors and are able to produce and secrete several vasoactive substances.5 All histopathological, surgical and pharmacological trials study the alteration of the metabolism and the response of the endothelium to injury during preparation.2,4,6–9 Despite the wide-spread use of the saphenous veins to bypass narrowed coronary arteries, the morphological changes in human vein grafts occurring after harvesting and in the first days after operation have only briefly been reported in vein graft literature.10–14In most of these studies it is assumed that no significant lesions can be found in the grafts which have been in place for less than 2 weeks.15–17
Published Version
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