Endothelial permeability in experimental aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulas in rabbits as demonstrated by the uptake of Evans blue.

Rabbits with chronic experimental arteriovenous fistulas or different types of aneurysm fashioned by microvascular surgery have been examined for changed in endothelial permeability by means of a protein-bound tracer dye technique. The aneurysms and anastomosed veins of the arteriovenous aneurysms exhibited pronounced dye-uptake in contrast to low uptake at sites of sham operation. The results demonstrate the importance of haemodynamic factors in altered endothelial function, as shown with a tracer dye technique in these experimental vascular models.