Effect of Different Storage Solutions on Oxidative Stress in Human Saphenous Vein Grafts

Background: Ischemic injury of saphenous vein grafts (SVG) during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery negatively impacts endothelial integrity and functionality and is associated with vein graft disease and failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of oxidative stress in human SVG segments following ischemic storage in three intraoperative graft storage solutions: physiological saline (PS), autologous heparinized blood (HB) and DuraGraft.Methods: 3 mm tissue rings derived from surplus SVG segments from 50 patients were stored at room temperature for 30 min in DuraGraft, PS and HB. Total oxidative status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were determined and the oxidative stress index (OSI: TOS/TAS ratio) calculated. A p-value <0.017 was considered significant implementing a Bonferroni correction.Results: TOS values were significantly lower for DuraGraft stored samples in comparison to both PS and HB; there was no difference between PS and HB (DuraGraft: 32.6±1.8, PS: 39.6±2.8 and HB: 40.6±2.4 µmol H2O2 eqv.; DuraGraft vs. PS and DuraGraft vs. HB p<0.0001, PS vs. HB p=0.047). TAS was higher for both DuraGraft and HB in comparison to PS (DuraGraft: 8.9±0.9, PS: 6.9±1.0 and HB: 8.6±0.9 mmol Trolox eqv.; DuraGraft vs PS p<0.0001, DuraGraft vs. HB p=0.263, PS vs. HB p<0.0001). OSI differed between all groups with the lowest value for DuraGraft (DuraGraft: 3.7±0.2, PS: 5.8±0.4 and HB: 4.7±0.2 µmol H2O2 eqv./mmol Trolox eqv.; all p<0.0001).Conclusions: saphenous veins grafts stored in DuraGraft had a lower oxidative stress level, higher antioxidant level and lower oxidative stress index in comparison to saphenous vein grafts stored in physiological saline or heparinized blood.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02922088