title: Immunosuppression with cyclosporine. A new approach to improve patency of venous allografts.
abstract: In cases in which an autogenous vein is not available, the venous allograft still represents an interesting alternative; however, early occlusion of the allograft is the rule. Forty-five mongrel dogs received jugular allografts transplanted into the carotid artery. Group 1 (n = 6) received no immunosuppression; group 2 (n = 5) received systemic azathioprine (2.5 mg/kg/day). In group 3 (n = 10) the grafts were pretreated with cyclosporine at 4 degrees C, and in group 4 (n = 9) the grafts were cryopreserved in a solution of 15% dimethyl sulfoxide and cyclosporine (50 mg/L) at -196 degrees C prior to implantation. Groups 3 and 4 received azathioprine as in group 2. Group 5 received cyclosporine systemically (15 to 20 mg/kg/day). Patency rates at one month (groups 1 and 2, 0%; group 3, 57.1%; groups 4 and 5, 100%) indicate that cyclosporine improves venous allograft survival both when used systemically and as a graft pretreatment modality.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000637:transplantation*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D003524:Cyclosporins