Biological characteristics of bovine jugular vein conduit fixed with epoxy chloropropan

AIM: To evaluate the biological characteristics of bovine jugular vein conduit fixed with epoxy chloropropan. METHODS: Thickness, appearance, histology, water content, shrinkage temperature, breaking strength and soluble protein level of the wall and valve of bovine jugular vein conduit fixed, respectively, with glutaraldehyde, epoxy chloropropan, glutaraldehyde plus epoxy chloropropan were analyzed and compared with fresh ones. RESULTS: Thickness, appearance, histology, water content of wall and valve of bovine jugular vein conduit fixed with glutaraldehyde and epoxy chloropropan were similar to those of fresh ones. Although the shrinkage temperature and breaking strength were improved, soluble protein level markedly decreased. CONCLUSION: Bovine jugular vein conduit fixed with epoxy chloropropan shows good biological characteristics.