A new technique for anastomosing veins to small-caliber arteries

A new technique of arteriovenous anastomosis is presented which lessens the complication of intravascular turbulence and thrombosis seen with elongated and narrow anastomotic segments. The axillary artery and jugular vein were anastomosed in 10 ZBZ-Cara rats using microsurgical techniques. The jugular vein was prepared as a tubular structure facilitating two end-to-end anastomoses rather than the customary end-to-side technique. Angiographic patency was demonstrated at 3 weeks in 10/10 rats. Two of ten anastomotic segments were considered quite narrow; however, angiographic demonstration of flow was excellent.