Effect of anticoagulation and lavage prior to casting of postmortem material with Mercox and Batson 17

In this study we compare the quality of vascular casts, obtained from organs of several animal species from different sources and sacrificed under different conditions. Organs from healthy animals were injected with two different polymers such as Mercox and Batson No. 17. When the specimens were observed under a scanning electron microscope structural elements such as endothelial nuclear impressions on vessels and capillaries, endothelial cell borders, venous valves, imprints of smooth muscle cells and intra-arterial cushions were identified. Organs excised post mortem from large animals can be used for microvascular corrosion casting studies with optimal results.