Effect of peri-operative storage solution on the vascular reactivity of the human saphenous vein.

The performance of the saphenous vein as a bypass conduit in myocardial revascularisation may, in part, be determined by its vascular reactivity. The present study investigates whether the choice of peri-operative storage solution influences the response of this vessel to a range of vasoconstrictors and vasodilators. Saphenous vein ring segments (210) were obtained from 24 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery, and following a 1 h incubation in either (1) heparinised blood, (2) heparinised saline, (3) 199-TC solution, (4) St. Thomas' cardioplegic solution or (5) plasma-lyte solution, rings of vein were set up as organ bath preparations. The relative magnitude of control constrictor response was: noradrenaline = 5-hydroxytryptamine > or = dopamine > histamine > acetylcholine. There was a significantly different (P < 0.05) enhanced response to noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine in segments stored in heparinised saline compared to 199-TC; similarly, dopamine and noradrenaline responses were significantly potentiated (P < 0.05) following storage in heparinised saline compared to cardioplegia. Storage in plasma-lyte enhanced the response significantly storage in heparinised saline compared to cardioplegia. Storage in plasma-lyte enhanced the response significantly (P < 0.05) to acetylcholine alone. None of the solutions had a significant effect on the potency (EC50) of the constrictors. Relaxations of pre-constricted segments were recorded to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, but there was no difference in efficacy or potency in these responses following storage in the different solutions. This study demonstrates that the choice of peri-operative storage solution may influence the vascular reactivity of the human saphenous vein.