Radiation Therapy Induced Modulation of Wound Healing at Experimental Vein Graft Anastomoses

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate if radiation therapy (RT) favorably modulates wound healing at vein graft anastomoses.Materials and methodsJugular vein grafts were sewn into carotid arteries in 32 rats which were randomly divided into two groups: RT (gamma source, 14 Gray, n=16) and control (C, sham irradiation, n=16). Grafts and adjacent arteries were analyzed at 2 (n=8) and 8 weeks (n=8) by histology, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry.ResultsAlthough, RT did not reduce the overall occurrence of intimal hyperplasia, the distribution differed. RT led to a reduction of intimal hyperplasia in arterial segments (median: C: 41.873μm2; RT: 6.452μm2, p<0.0007). In contrast, RT augmented intimal hyperplasia in vein grafts (median: C: 30.287μm2; RT: 90.455μm2, p<0.014). Vein graft diameters after RT were enlarged (median: C: 2.098μm; RT: 3.381, p