Donated Vascular Tissue

What is Vascular Tissue?

The vascular system is the body's network of blood vessels responsible for circulating blood throughout the body. Vascular tissues include:

• Arteries: Carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to tissues and organs.
• Veins: Carry blood and waste products back to the heart.

After death, certain vascular tissues can be donated and used for transplant, including:

• Saphenous veins
• Femoral vessels
• Aortoiliac artery

How is Donated Vascular Tissue Used?

Donated vascular tissue is essential in surgical procedures that aim to restore, replace, or supplement damaged or poorly functioning blood vessels. Common applications include:

• Saphenous veins: Used in procedures to restore circulation to the lower extremities for patients with peripheral vascular disease and as grafts in coronary artery bypass surgery.
• Femoral vessels: Often utilized as superficial dialysis shunts for patients undergoing chronic dialysis.
• Aortoiliac artery grafts: Frequently used to replace or bypass the patient’s own aortoiliac vessels in cases of severe clotting or abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Benefits of Donated Vascular Tissue

Donated vascular grafts provide lifesaving solutions for patients with critical circulatory issues, offering improved blood flow and better outcomes in complex vascular surgeries.