NEOANGIOGENESIS IN ANEURYSMATIC AUTOGENOUS VENOUS TRANSPLANTS

In two patients with femoro-popliteal bypass using autogenous saphenous vein, aneurysmatic dilatation of the transplants occured after a follow-up of 4 and 20 years. In the inner thrombus layer of the aneurysms side-branches could be shown by transfemoral angiography. A special microcorrosion cast technique for SEM-analysis was able to make a vascular network visible, which spread within the inner thrombus layer of the aneurysms. Venules were found predominantly. According to clinical and experimental results the potential of the phylogenetic older venous system is greater than the ability of the arterial system.