Use of defibrotide in preventing vascular thrombosis in experimental pancreas transplantation

Venous thrombosis is one of the more frequent complications in pancreas transplantation. The efficacy of a new antithrombotic substance has been studied in an experimental model of pancreas transplantation. Sixteen miniature swines with streptozotocin induced diabetes underwent whole pancreas transplantation from a non sibling donor. Half of these animals were treated with defibrotide, a polideoxyribonucleotide obtained by controlling depolymerization of mammalian lung deoxyribonucleic acid. The others did not receive any antithrombotic treatment. Blood glucose and insulin levels were monitored. Seven days post transplant, the grafts were removed and examined for vascular thrombosis. A lower incidence of venous thrombosis was observed in the group treated with defibrotide in comparison to the control group. No differences in pancreatic function, coagulation parameters morphological aspects of the grafts were observed in the two groups. Defibrotide appears to be a useful drug to prevent vascular thrombosis in pancreas transplantation.