title: Rabbit model for evaluation of a long small-caliber vascular graft.
abstract: We developed an experimental method for evaluating the properties and healing process of a long, small-caliber vascular graft in a small animal. Eight rabbits were used. A left thoracotomy was performed and the thoracic aorta was isolated. The aorta was clamped and excised in the middle without a temporary shunt. A 15-cm-long by 4.0-mm-ID segment of a vascular graft was implanted end to end. After the blood flow of the aorta was restarted, the long graft remained in a big loop shape in the thoracic cavity and showed no tension. The major advantage of this technique is that, although it is simple, we are still able to evaluate a long, small-caliber vascular graft in a small animal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tomizawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okoshi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koyanagi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Noishiki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000637:transplantation*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D011817:Rabbits; D014654:Vascular Patency