Morphology and function of dog arterial grafts preserved in UW-solution.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the function of arterial grafts after prolonged preservation in the University of Wisconsin solution (UW), in vitro and in vivo.


METHODS
Carotid arteries were harvested from dogs and stored for 1-21 days at 4 degrees C in UW (n = 10) or in PBS (0.9% NaCl, pH 7.4), (PBS) (n = 10). Slices were examined by lightmicroscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For viability testing, specimens were connected to an isometric force transducer (2 x n = 9). Contractile and relaxation responses were examined by adding phenylephrine (200 microM) and metacholine (200 microM), respectively. For in vivo studies (n = 41), 2.5cm carotid artery segments were implanted or orthotopically, as autografts and allografts, after 14 days of storage in UW or in PBS. Autologous veins were used as controls. After 28 days or 56 days, arteriography was performed and the grafts were excised for LM and SEM.


RESULTS
The arterial endothelial layer remained intact after up to 14 days of storage in UW. In PBS, the endothelium was lost after 3 days. The functional response after 14 days storage in UW was approximately 50% vs. 0% after 14 days in PBS. In the autografts, total patencies (28 days + 56 days) were 100% (8/8) and 63% (5/8) for UW and PBS stored grafts, respectively. In the allografts, the UW and PBS preserved grafts showed total patencies of 86% (12/14) and 83% (5/6), respectively. Microscopically, the allografts showed fibrotic degeneration.


CONCLUSIONS
Arteries are well preserved in UW up to 14 days of storage. Arterial autografts preserved in UW showed good patency and better integrity of the vessel wall after implantation, than grafts stored in PBS or allografts (without immunosuppressive therapy).
D000241:Adenosine; D000493:Allopurinol; D000818:Animals; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004285:Dogs; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D005978:Glutathione; D007328:Insulin; D016210:Methacholine Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011887:Raffinose; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013997:Time Factors; D014021:Tissue Preservation; D014022:Tissue Survival; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation
D007328:Insulin; D018721:Muscarinic Agonists; D019188:Organ Preservation Solutions; C055206:University of Wisconsin-lactobionate solution; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D010656:Phenylephrine; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D000493:Allopurinol; D005978:Glutathione; D000241:Adenosine; D011887:Raffinose