Effect of heparinized irrigating solutions on patency of experimental microvascular anastomoses

The effect of five different irrigating solutions on patency of four different types of microvascular anastomoses was studied. The solutions used were lactated Ringer's without heparin and four lactated Ringer's solutions with varying concentrations of heparin ranging from 10,000 units/liter to 100,000 units/liter. These were tested on four different anastomotic models in the rat: 1) end-to-end femoral arterial anastomosis; 2) end-to-side arterial bypass graft; 3) end-to-end venous anastomosis; and 4) end-to-side venous bypass graft. There were statistically significant differences in patency rates among the solutions only in the end-to-end venous anastomosis group. In these, significantly higher patency was achieved with heparinized lactated Ringer's solution at 20,000 units/liter. The use of higher concentrations of heparin in these solutions resulted in decreasing patency rates and appears to be contraindicated.