Comparative copper coil-induced thrombogenicity of the internal mammary, left anterior descending coronary, and popliteal arteries in dogs.

Abstract

The internal mammary artery (IMA) is the graft of choice for coronary artery bypass surgery because of its resistance to atherosclerosis. Studies to elucidate the mechanism of this phenomenon have focused on vasoactive properties of the vessel wall; however, low thrombogenicity might also contribute to the protection of the IMA against atherosclerosis. To test this hypothesis, copper coils 3 mm long were introduced in 14 heparinized dogs into both the IMA and the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) (n = 7) or into both the IMA and the popliteal artery (POP) (n = 7). Arterial patency was monitored angiographically at 15-minute intervals for 4 hours. Occlusion occurred in all LADs and POPs and in 10 of the 14 IMAs. Spontaneous reflow after occlusion occurred in all IMAs and was followed by cyclic reocclusion and reflow in two animals. Short periods of reflow followed by reocclusion occurred in two of the seven LADs and three of the seven POPs. The patency status, categorized as persistent occlusion, reflow followed by reocclusion, reflow without reocclusion, or persistent patency, was significantly different between IMA and LAD (p less than 0.02) and between IMA and POP (p less than 0.04) but not between LAD and POP. Patent arteries at the end of the 4-hour period were observed in all of the 14 IMAs versus none of the seven LADs and two of the seven POPs (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)