[Effect of solutions of preservation on the vascular reactivity of human saphenous veins].

It is mandatory to preserve the vascular tone regulation of the saphenous vein in order to optimize its performance as a vascular conduit. To determine the optimal preservation solution, human saphenous vein segments (3-4 cm) were harvested, stored for 60 minutes in different preservation solutions and studied in organ chambers for endothelial and smooth muscle assessment. A 1st group (n = 10) was stored in the heparinized blood of the patient (SH), a 2nd group (n = 10) in physiologic saline solution (NaCl) and a 3rd group (n = 10) in Krebs Ringer (KR) solution. All solutions were maintained at room temperature (21 degrees C). Each preserved segment was paired to a control segment, harvested in the same patient, and studied before storage. Following 60 minutes of preservation decreased endothelial-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine and histamine was observed among the group stored in KR (p = 0.06 and p < 0.02 respectively) compared to the other groups. Endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was not affected regardless of the solution used. However, veins stored in SH disclosed an increased contractility to norepinephrine (p < 0.04). When intergroup variability was considered (by variance analysis), no significant difference was seen between each group. This study suggests that KR and SH were not as efficient as NaCl in preserving saphenous endothelial function. Furthermore, storage in SH increased smooth muscle response to catecholamine. In this experimental setup, 0.9% NaCl solution is an acceptable preservation solution of the saphenous vein.