Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the design of a femoral vascular loop with anastomosis in the femoral artery of rabbits on the presence of flow (patency) after seven days. METHODS: A total of 39 rabbits underwent arteriovenous microanastomosis using the microsurgical technique. Two loop designs were used: one circular and the other angled. The parameters evaluated were presence or absence of flow, signs of hemolysis and hemodynamic changes. RESULTS: After seven days, flow was present in 68% of the angled loops and 75% of the circular loops (p > 0.05). There was a significant intragroup decrease in pCO(2) and a significant increase in pH. For the other parameters evaluated, no significant differences between the two loop models were found. CONCLUSIONS: A reproducible vascular loop model was shown. There was no significant difference between the two vascular loop models about the presence of flow after seven days. Level of Evidence V, Animal experimental study.