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Calcification of Human Saphenous Vein Associated with Endothelial Dysfunction: A Pilot Histopathophysiological and

Sydney L Pedigo1, Christy M Guth1, Kyle M Hocking1

  • 1Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, TN , USA.

Frontiers in Surgery
|February 25, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Vein calcification is linked to endothelial dysfunction and increased vein wall thickness. Risk factors like advanced age and kidney disease are similar to arterial calcification.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Biology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Arterial calcification is well-studied, but venous calcification is less understood.
  • Venous calcification's impact on endothelial function and patient risk factors requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between calcium deposition in human saphenous veins (HSV), endothelial function, and patient demographic risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Collected 54 HSV segments during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
  • Used Von Kossa staining for calcium visualization and muscle bath for endothelial function assessment.
  • Histologic evaluation of intimal thickness and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition; patient data from electronic medical records.

Main Results:

  • Calcium deposits found in 29.6% of HSV samples.
  • Calcified veins showed increased intimal-to-medial thickness ratio and ECM collagen deposition.
  • Endothelial relaxation was significantly impaired in calcified veins; advanced age and serum creatinine were significant risk factors.

Conclusions:

  • Venous calcification is associated with endothelial dysfunction, increased intimal thickness, and ECM deposition.
  • Risk factors for venous calcification mirror those for arterial calcification, including age and kidney disease.
  • Further research is needed to understand the impact of vein calcification on graft patency.

Keywords:
calcificationdemographicsendothelial dysfunctionendothelial-dependent relaxationhuman saphenous veinintimal thicknessvein graft failure

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