J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 81(3): 226-235, 1980

---

Original article

STUDIES ON THE VEIN IMPLANTATION
－APPLICATION OF ENZYME TREATED HOMO-AND HETERO ARTERIES－

Replacement of the inferior vena cava was investigated in the dog using bovine carotid artery heterografts and the canine thoracic aorta homografts. These grafts were prepared by enzymatic digestion with ficin and by tanning with glutaraldehyde.
1) No significant difference was observed as to the patency rate and histological changes between these homo- and heterografts.
2) During the processing technique, the period of ficin treatment was revealed to be an important factor to influence on the fate of the graft after implantation. Eccessive treatment weakened the collagen skeleton, while insufficient treatment caused significant calcification at long term observation. As to the bovine carotid artery, the most appropriate period of ficin digestion was 2.5 hours.
3) In order to clarify the antigenicity of these xenografts, immunological studies were carried out. Precipitin test failed to demonstrate any specific antibody, and only minimal immunoglobulin such as γ-globulin and γ1a were detected by radioimmunoelectrophoresis. Specific antibody was not found either by the method of ³H-Thymidine lymphcytic incorporation.
The author concluded that bovine carotid artery treated with 1% ficin solution for 2.5 hours and tanned with 1.5% glutaraldehyde achieved a good substitute for dog's caval replacement and the results of immunological studies suggest the possibility of its clinical use.

---

---

To read the PDF file you will need Adobe Reader installed on your computer.