The search for valved conduit tissue grafts for adults (22 mm): an ultrasonographic study of jugular vein diameters of horses and cattle

摘要

BackgroundNatural heterologous valved conduits with a diameter greater than 22 mm that can be used for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in adults are not commercially available. The purpose of this study was to measure by ultrasonography the maximum diameter of the distended jugular veins of horses and cattle, respectively, to identify a population of animals that would be suitable for post-mortem collection of jugular veins at sizes greater than 22 mm.