A NEW DEVELOPMENT OF A CERVICAL EXTERNAL ARTERIO-VENOUS FISTULA FOR THE REPEATED USE OF AN EXTRACORPOREAL PERFUSION IN RATS.

Abstract

An extracorporeal circulation system in rats model has been performed mainly by direct insertion of optimal catheters into femoral artery and vein. Although this method is simple and convenient, it has been difficult to utilize for long-term repeated perfusion. In the present study, we tried extra-corporeal perfusion with the external arterio-venous (AV) fistula using a silastic tube interconnected from the carotid artery to the external jugular vein through the dorsal neck. The mean flow rate of cervical AV fistula was approximately 15ml/min. Initial perfusion was undertaken using the cut-ends of silastic tube at the flow rate of 4ml/min just before 500 U/kg of heparin was administered. Following extracorporeal perfusion, a polypropylene mini-fitting connector was telescoped into both cut-ends of silastic tube. Using cervical AV fistula, an extracorporeal perfusion was repeated three times for up to 10 days. Artificial graft and connector should be ameliorated as well as optimal dose of heparin in order to keep the patency for a long-term period.