Arterial endothelial denudation by intraluminal use of papaverine-NaCl solution in coronary bypass surgery.

Abstract

Preservation of endothelial integrity during coronary artery bypass grafting is considered important for short- and long-term patency of the graft. In current literature there are controversial data about the safety of papaverine, a vasorelaxant widely used in coronary artery bypass grafting. Accordingly, we examined the immediate effects of papaverine on the endothelial morphology of arterial grafts and on viability of cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells.