Evaluation of cryopreserved allograft venous conduits in dogs.

We investigated the effects of cryopreservation, immunosuppression, and antibiotic treatment on the patency and histologic appearance of venous conduits in the arterial circulation. Twenty-eight dogs received arterial replacements with autograft vein, fresh allograft, and two types of cryopreserved allograft vein implanted into both carotid and both femoral arteries. All animals were given aspirin, and half were given cyclosporine. After 3 months the vein grafts were harvested. Patency and light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopic criteria were scored to evaluate quality of preservation of the endothelium, the appearance of rejection, and the effects of cryopreservation with and without antibiotic pretreatment. The results show that patency is not statistically different based on graft type or treatment modality. The histologic appearance among the various vein types was remarkably similar at 3 months, with the exception of a cellular infiltrate present most prominently in the fresh allografts and least in the fresh autografts. Cyclosporine, even at a low dose, decreased the incidence of cellular infiltration. Preservation of endothelium was generally good in the cryopreserved allografts both with and without antibiotic pretreatment. In general, the effects of cryopreservation, cyclosporine, and antibiotics ameliorated the effects of venous allografting into an arterial position.