[Morphologic and hydrodynamic characteristics of bovine jugular venous conduit with valves].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the morphologic and hydrodynamic characteristics of bovine jugular venous conduit with valves.


METHODS
Fresh bovine jugular veins with a retained native valve procured from a slaughterhouse were used as raw material to fabricate the valved conduits. The hydrodynamic performance of fresh and glutaraldehyde fixed bovine jugular vein conduits with valves was investigated in an experimental flow equipment that provided a constant pressure. The perfusion flow quantity through the conduits was measured under the antegrade (from the distal end to the proximal end) and retograde (from the proximal to the distal end) perfusion. The parameters of the valves in these bovine jugular venous conduits were also measured.


RESULTS
There were 2-3 group valves in the bovine jugular venous conduit, with 3 or 2 valves in each group. The degrees of the leaflet development in different valves were different in the same conduit. The location of well-developed valves was interspersed. The anti-reflow ability of valves was positively correlated to the ratio between the leaflet height and valve sinus height (r = 0.709, P < 0.001). The percentage of retrograde and antegrade perfusion flow quantity after the glutaraldehyde treatment significantly increased than that before the glutaraldehyde treatment (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Part of the bovine jugular venous conduit has well-developed valves with strong ability against reflowing. Routine glutaraldehyde treatment obviously decreases the anti-reflow function of the conduits.
Wu
Zhong-shi
ZS
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
Zhang
Jing-chao
JC
Cheng
Duan
D
D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002417:Cattle; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D012212:Rheology