Objective To compare the biological and biomechanical characteristics of decellularized bovine jugular venous tissue-engineered valved conduit scaffolds with that of fresh bovine jugular veins. Methods Fortyeight fresh bovine jugular veins were divided into control group and experimental group with random number table method, 24 veins in each group. There were fresh bovine jugular veins in control group, decellularized bovine jugular veins in experimental group. The veins of experimental group were treated with sodium deoxyeholate plus Triton-X-100 to decellularize the cells in valves and vessel walls. The thickness, water absorption rate, water maintenance rate, destroying strength, stretch rate of valves and vessel walls in two groups were detected. Results The endothelial cell and fibroblast of valves and vessel walls in experimental group were completely decellularized, no cell fragments were retained within the matrix scaffold; collagen fiber and elastin fiber had been preserved with intact structure and wavily arrayed; deoxyribonucleic acid content of valves and vessel walls in experimental group were decreased by 97.58%, 97.25% compared with that of control group. The thickness, water absorption rate and water maintenance rate of valves and vessel walls in experimental group were lightly increased than those of control group, but there were no significant differences between them （P 〉 0. 05）. There were no significant differences in destroying strength and stretch rate of valves and vessel walls between two groups （P〉0. 05）. Conclusion Decellularized bovine jugular vein scaffold has stable biological and biomechanical characteristics and it may be ideal natural fibrous matrix for developing the tissue-engineered valved conduit by host recellularization.
Objective To investigate the hemodynamic performance of valved bovine jugular vein conduits (BJVC) for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in canine model. Methods The BJVC that were treated with the glutaraldehyde were implanted between the pulmonary artery and right ventricle in seven young canines. Right ventricular and pulmonary artery pressures were measured directly before and after the implantation. Hemodynamic evaluations were carried out by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization after the implantation. Results Seven canines were survival one year after the implantation. The pulmonary artery pressures (including systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and mean pressure) had not significantly changed after reconstruction with the conduits. The right ventricular diastolic pressures had not increased after the reconstruction, but the right ventricular systolic pressure and mean pressure had increased. One year later, the echocardiography showed valve motion with no obvious thickening of the leaflets. No graft kinking or obvious regurgitation of the valve was observed. Cardiac catheterization and angiography showed that the pressure gradients between the right ventricle and the conduits varied from 3 to 19mmHg, the diastolic pressures in the conduits were higher than that of right ventricle((Plt;)0.01), and the conduits and pulmonary arteries had no obvious obstruction. Conclusion The glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine jugular vein conduit has good hemodynamic performance in the pulmonary circulation.
Phlebectasia of jugular vein is an unusual mass in the neck in children. Between 1981-1989, 16 cases were admitted at our hospital, 14 of them were operated on ligation or excision, and 9 of the 14 patients have remained well 2-9 years following the operation. In 1 of the 2 patients who refused operation, the mass had increased in size after being discharged from the hospital. The etiology, diagnosis and treatment of the disease were discussed.