title: A novel preservation medium protecting prostacyclin production and endothelial integrity of the human saphenous vein graft.
abstract: Patency rates of coronary artery saphenous vein bypass grafts can be as low as 50% in the first year after surgery. Of these occlusions, 70% can be attributed to mural thrombus formation. Improvements in surgical handling techniques and in preservation media have improved patency rates, as has the introduction of perioperative antiplatelet therapy. The authors describe a novel preservation medium consisting of heparinized blood from the patient, papaverine and dipyridamole. This medium enhances prostacyclin production and maintains endothelial integrity in preserved saphenous vein segments.
authors.affiliation: Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc (U.C.L.), Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dion
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lavenne-Pardonge
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Scheiff
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verhelst
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baele
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moriau
mesh_terms: D001790:Blood Physiological Phenomena; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000494:pharmacology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D010208:Papaverine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004176:Dipyridamole; D006493:Heparin; D010208:Papaverine; D011464:Epoprostenol