Abstract
This communication deals first with the evolution of the anastomoses, and secondly with the modifications of the walls, of the transplanted vessels.
The results of the arterio-arterial, veno-venous and arteriovenous anastomoses remained excellent after many months. No stenoses or aneurisms have been observed on the arterial anastomoses six to seven months after the operation. No stenosis occurs after the venous anastomosis: a cat, in which an Eck fistula was made eighteen months ago by Guthrie and myself is still in good health. The same is the case for the arterio-venous anastomosis: the jugular vein and the carotid artery of a dog were anastomosed by Guthrie and myself twenty two months ago and now strong thrill and pulsations are easily detected by palpation of the jugular vein.
The modifications of the vascular walls are produced mainly by the changes of blood pressure. No great change occurs if the blood pressure of the transplanted vessel be not modified. Segments of carotid, aorta or vena cava of one animal, transplanted in the carotid, aorta or vena cava of another animal of the same size and species, do not undergo any important anatomical modification. If blood pressure be diminished, the wall of the transplanted vessel becomes thinner. Six months after the operation, it was found that the wall of the carotid transplanted in the external jugular vein was thinner than the normal one. If blood pressure be increased, hypertrophy of the wall ensues. A segment of external jugular vein interposed between the cut ends of the carotid artery was a little dilated and its wall was as thick as the arterial wall, eight months after the operation. In other cases, there was no dilation of the lumen of the vessels.
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