Use of autologous umbilical artery and vein for vascular reconstruction in the newborn

Angelo A. Vlessis, Hagop Hovaguimian, Eric Arntson, Albert Starr

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Autologous umbilical artery and vein were evaluated as vascular conduits in newborn lambs. Eight newborn lambs were delivered transabdominally under sterile conditions at term. The umbilical artery and vein were dissected from the cord and stored in culture media. On the same day, each lamb underwent bilateral superficial femoral artery transection and reconstruction. Nine arteries were reconstructed with autologous umbilical vein interposition grafts, five with umbilical artery interposition grafts, and two by primary native artery anastomosis. After the birth weight of the lambs quadrupled (37 to 45 days), they were killed and all grafts and anastomoses were examined grossly and histologically. At the conclusion of the study, both native artery anastomoses (2/2) were patent. Five umbilical vein (5/9) and two umbilical artery (2/5) autografts were also widely patent. Patent autografts retained an intact endothelium supported by a viable media. The nonpatent autografts had become atrophic remnants displaying histologic signs of early closure. Graft failures are attributed to the extreme vasoactive nature of the umbilical vessels. These preliminary results suggest that umbilical vessels may be useful as a vascular autograft if the vasoactive nature of these vessels can be overcome during the immediate perioperative period. (J THORAC CARDIOVASC SURG 1995;109:854-7).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)854-857
Number of pages4
JournalThe Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
Volume109
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1995
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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