title: Evaluating the competence of venous valves preserved with denaturation in cold ischaemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the competence of venous valves preserved with denaturation in cold ischaemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight segments of saphenous veins with 20 competent valves were analysed in the study. The material was collected during multiorgan retrievals. After harvesting, 15 cm long venous fragments were assessed with respect to valve presence. A 4-cm fragment with a valve was used for the analysis. Valve competence was assessed twice: after sampling and after 21 days of preservation. The valves were subjected to 136 cm water column pressure test. Denaturation in cold ischaemia consists of preservation of vessels at 4_C in a preservation medium containing antibiotics. Bacteriological and morphological examinations by light microscopy were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the preservation period, all the valves retained their mechanical properties. Well-preserved elastic elements of vascular wall were maintained in all vessels. Minor fragmentation of elastic fibres was observed and the structure of vascular wall was usually regular.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study indicates that denaturation in cold ischaemia allows for the maintenance of the properties and physiological functions of the valves after preservation. This effect is related to the good condition of elastic fibres, venous wall structure and the valve itself.
authors.affiliation: II Clinic of Surgery, II Department of Medicine, Warsaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dunal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kruk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trochimczuk
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Krasowski
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Geremek
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chakkour
mesh_terms: D002843:Chromatin / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D019194:Ischemic Preconditioning; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000637:transplantation; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin