Objective:To investigate the effects of ePTFE cuff on arterialization of vein after bypass surgery in dogs.
Methods:Thirty-six healthy dogs were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=18 in each group). The implanted veins in experimental group were enclosed by ePTFE, and that of the control group were not enclosed. Common carotid artery was reconstructed with ipsilateral external jugular vein. Animals were sacrificed at 2, 6 and 10w postoperatively, respectively. The vein graft was separated and using pressure perfused by formalin. The explanted vein was cut at the middle, then the proximal segment was divided into two segments, the segment near the anastomosis was as "a" segment, the other was "b" segment. Segments a and b were sliced into 3mm sections, respectively. Thickness of the vascular wall was analyzed and measured.
Results:In control group, basic value of lateral wall thickness of the a segment was （0.46±0.09）mm,and  it increased to （0.64±0.06）,（ 2.20±0.51）,（ 3.23±0.38）mm,respectively, at 2, 6 and 10w. Basic value of medial wall thickness of the b segment was （0.46±0.09）mm, which increased to（ 0.59±0.05）, （2.46±0.41）,（ 2.01±0.11）mm, respectively at 2, 6 and 10w. In experimental group, basic value of the lateral wall thickness of the a segment was （0.41±0.09）mm,and the value was  （0.75±0.22）, （1.31±0.21）mm, respectively, at 6 and 10w. Basic value of the medial wall thickness of the b segment was （0.41±0.09）mm, which was （0.70±0.04）, （1.24±0.28）mm, respectively, at 6 and 10w. Compared with the control group, the vessel wall thickness in experimental group was decreased significantly(P<0.01).
Conclusions:ePTFE cuff can retard the arterialization process of implanted vein.