Autogenous vein grafting in atheromatous rabbits

In a controlled study it has been found that atheroma is laid down in autogenous vein used as bypass arterial grafts in rabbits with generalized, cholesterol-induced atheroma. The atheroma forms with greater propensity in the vein graft than in the adjacent arteries or in the vein from which the graft was taken. Atheroma is concentrated near the suture lines and there is little doubt that the trauma associated with suture technique increased the degree and rate of atheroma formation at this site. Comparison of the grafts showed that rabbits with established atheroma had developed more atheroma in the graft than those with developing atheroma, which in turn were affected more than normal control animals.