Vessel Patency Following Nonsuture Anastomosis With Intravascular Rings

ANONSUTURE method of vascular anastomosis using thrombus-resistant intravascular rings was reported previously.¹ This method of vascular anastomosis permits very rapid reestablishment of blood flow and has been found to be particularly useful in experimental cardiac transplantation. The present study reports vessel patency rates after intravascular ring anastomoses of both arteries and veins of various size in the dog.

Materials and Methods  Both single and coupled rings with internal diameters of 4, 7, 8, 10, and 13 mm were constructed of polycarbonate (Fig 1). The rings were coated with graphite by dipping in a Dag 154 colloidal graphite solution diluted with two parts 95% ethanol and one part benzene. This solution contains suitable hydrocarbon solvents and plastic binders to produce an adequate graphite coating on polycarbonate for the purposes of this study. The solvents were driven from the surface by heat (130F for 48 hr). The graphite-coated rings were then