The effect of stasis on a microvascular anastomosis.

An experiment was done in rats to determine the effect of stopping the flow of blood across a fresh anastomosis. It was found that brief periods of stasis, up to 30 minutes, caused a minimal increase in the rate of thrombosis, but 60 minutes of stasis caused a significant risk of thrombosis in both arteries and veins. The thrombosis associated with stasis could be prevented by the systemic administration of heparin.