L-arginine reduces neointimal hyperplasia in cold-stored arterial allografts in a rabbit low-flow-through model.

An "off the shelf" vascular conduit for free flap surgery that remained patent until the flap is vascularized from the recipient bed would be useful to avoid autograft donor-site morbidity and reduce operation time. To date, no successful studies of microvascular prostheses in low-flow states exist. This study investigated the effects of L-arginine on neointimal hyperplasia and the overall patency of cold-stored femoral arterial allografts implanted into a low-flow arterial defect model in rabbits.