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Material and structural characterization of human saphenous vein
D L Donovan1, S P Schmidt, S P Townshend
1Department of Surgery, Akron City Hospital, Ohio 44309.
Journal of Vascular Surgery
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Saphenous vein patch rupture after carotid endarterectomy is rare but serious. Vein strength is reduced by age, diabetes, hypertension, and female gender, potentially explaining these complications.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Biomaterials Science
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Saphenous vein grafts are used in carotid endarterectomy.
- Rupture of these grafts is a rare but severe complication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the material and structural properties of human saphenous veins.
- To understand the causes of saphenous vein patch rupture after carotid endarterectomy.
Main Methods:
- Saphenous vein segments from 22 patients were tested.
- Uniaxial tension testing was performed on 93 specimens in circumferential and longitudinal orientations.
- Material properties including tensile stiffness, failure force, and tensile modulus were determined.
Main Results:
- Longitudinal testing limited inherent vein strength.
- Circumferential tensile strength was negatively correlated with patient age, female gender, diabetes, and hypertension.
- These factors may adversely affect the vein's suitability as a patch graft.
Conclusions:
- Patient factors like age, hypertension, diabetes, and gender negatively impact saphenous vein tensile strength.
- This may predispose to saphenous vein patch rupture after carotid endarterectomy.
- Further research into vein graft material properties is warranted.