Strength analysis of vena saphena magna as a material for autoprosthesis of arteries

The mechanical tests of saphenous veins on static tension have been carried out. Significant factors affecting the strength of the vein are the varicose vein transformation and thickness of the vascular wall. The ultimate strength of samples without varicose transformation is significantly (0.9 MPа) higher than that of veins with varicose transformation and the increasing in the thickness walls by 1 mm decreases this parameter by 3.9 MPa. At the same time, the minimum values of ultimate strength the for both groups was more than 0.4 MPa (3000 mm Hg), which allow us to use the veins for prosthesis of the arterial bed. As a plastic material, it is advisable to use varicose veins with a vascular wall thickness (double) less than 0.35 mm, for unchanged veins this parameter should not exceed 0.58 mm. Also, our results indicate the absence of differences in the deformation and strength characteristics between the samples of the saphenous veins when stored in solutions of different chemical composition.