Scanning electron microscopic observations of common carotid artery endothelium in the rat. II. Sutured arteries

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopic findings in 26 rats with sutured 1 to 1.2 mm segments of carotid artery indicate a difference in morphological changes beneath clamped areas and areas 2 to 3 mm adjacent to the suture line. Craters similar to those observed in control specimens were seen beneath clamped sites without significant platelet aggregation or platelet adherence to the endothelial wall. In contrast, areas adjacent to the suture line exhibited a pattern of fibrin and platelet adherence to the vessel endothelial wall. These changes appeared to be consistent after one to four hours of observation in most animals. Sutures, although attracting some platelets, did not exhibit platelet and fibrin adherence as marked as that of the adjacent endothelial wall.