The Carotid Artery as a Coronary Bioprosthesis: Five Potential Donor Species

Abstract

Bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine and canine carotid arteries were chosen for study as potential sources of aortocoronary bypass biologic prostheses for use in patients undergoing reconstructive surgery. Anatomic and histologic evalua tions, structural measurements and static mechanical property tests were per formed. The canine carotid arteries have an average length of about 20 to 21 cm with the considerable advantage that there is only one branch, located near the distal end. They also offer the most uniform luminal diameter of 3.0 to 4.0 mm and the most uniform wall thickness (approximately 0.5 mm). The suitable lu minal diameter and wall structure provide a good match to the coronary arte rial anastomosis. Although the canine carotid artery has a thinner wall, static mechanical property tests demonstrate that wall strength and elasticity are com parable to the four other species studied. The canine carotid artery appears to best fit the suggested criteria for a biologic aortocoronary bypass prosthesis from a readily available source. As such, the canine carotid artery in a properly processed form appears worthy of experimental study for aortocoronary bypass surgery.