Impact of freezing/thawing procedures on the post-thaw viability of cryopreserved human saphenous vein conduits.

Background: Cryopreserved human blood vessels are important tools in reconstructive surgery. However, patency of frozen/thawed conduits depends largely on the freezing/thawing procedures employed.

Methods: Changes in tone were recorded on rings from human saphenous vein (SV) and used to quantify the degree of cryoinjury after different periods of exposure at room temperature to the cryomedium (Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 1.