Use of a jugular vein graft in a modified Blalock-Taussig procedure in dogs

Comparison of diameter and length of subclavian arteries to external jugular veins in variably sized dogs: A cadaveric study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the length and diameter of a left external jugular vein graft as a substitute for the left subclavian artery in the modified Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunt (mBTTS) in differently sized dogs.

STUDY DESIGN

Cadaveric study.

ANIMALS

Dog cadavers of three weight categories (10/group): <9.5 kg, 9.5 to 27 kg, and > 27 kg.

METHODS

The length and infused external diameters of harvested vessels were measured with vernier calipers and recorded. A matched-pairs t test was used to test the difference in vessel lengths. The agreement in vessel diameters was assessed by using Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). Pearson's correlation coefficients (CC) were determined for vessel diameter to weight category and vessel length to weight category.

RESULTS

The external jugular vein measured longer than the subclavian artery in all dogs (52.0 ± 20.8 mm and 23.0 ± 8.9 mm, respectively), with a mean difference of 28 ± 14.3 mm (P < .001). The mean external infused subclavian and external jugular diameters measured 7.8 ± 2.2 mm and 8.0 ± 2.5 mm, respectively (P = .32). Lin's CCC was 0.87. Pearson's CC were 0.74 in both vessel diameters (P < .001); they were 0.36 and 0.43, respectively, for subclavian artery and external juglar vein length (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Autologous external jugular vein grafts had an external diameter similar to subclavian artery and a significantly longer length in variably sized dogs.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

External jugular vein grafts may be an acceptable graft choice for mBTTS.