Effect of venous valves on grafts for coronary artery bypass
S. Hayashi, S. Fukunaga, H. Ishiara, Y. Hamanaka, T. Sueda and Y. Matsuura
First Department of Surgery, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
The effect of venous valves on blood flow and patency in grafts of the long
saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass is examined. Our experimental
model involved both diastolic-predominant blood flow and transient systolic
regurgitation, and the waveform was similar to that of in vivo coronary
circulation. In this model, blood flow was assessed in the presence or
absence of venous valves. It was found that coronary artery blood flow was
significantly greater in the presence of venous valves. Angioendoscopy
showed that the movement of the graft valves was strong and rhythmic. It
seems that valve preservation may be desirable in grafts for coronary
artery bypass.
