Neointimal SMC prolifera tion in experimental vein grafts: possible role of eddy blood flow

摘要

Bypass vein grafts, which are commonly used to replace atherosclerotic arteries, are subject to eddy blood flow induced by graft-hos diameter mismatch and anastomotic distortions. It has been shown that eddy flow plays a role in focal smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and intimal hyperplasia, pathological events leading to vein graft restenosis. Thus, it was hypothesized that an elimination of eddy flow may contribute to the prevention of these events. This study was designed to provide experimental evidence for this hypothesis and to achieve the following goals: 1) to show whether eddy flow influenced focal SMC proliferation in the neointima of experimental vein grafts; and 2) to demonstrate whether a mitogenic factor, the angiotensin II type 1 (AT_1) receptor, mediated this process.