Prevention of venous thrombosis in microvascular surgery by transmural release of heparin from a polyanhydride polymer.
BACKGROUND
The effects of transmurally released heparin on the patency of microvenous anastomoses were studied by using a bioerodible polymer delivery system in a rat microvascular thrombosis model.


METHODS
A polyanhydride carrier with heparin was wrapped around the outside of a highly thrombogenic venous inversion graft in 14 animals, and patency rates were compared with those of 17 control animals.


RESULTS
Anastomotic patency was significantly greater in the groups treated with transmurally released heparin, measured both at 24 hours (86% versus 16%; p < 0.02) and at 7 days (86% versus 36%; p < 0.05) after operation. No significant complications occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Controlled release of heparin by transmural delivery is an effective and safe form of local antithrombotic therapy and may have applications both in microvascular and large vessel surgery.
Orloff
L A
LA
Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego Medical Center 92103-8891, USA.
Glenn
M G
MG
Domb
A J
AJ
Esclamado
R A
RA
D000812:Anhydrides; D000818:Animals; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D011108:Polymers; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*
D000812:Anhydrides; D011108:Polymers; D006493:Heparin