<p>In a collaboration between the <a href="https://fbri.vtc.vt.edu/">Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC</a> and <a href="https://www.carilionclinic.org/specialties/cardiothoracic-surgery">Carilion Clinic</a>, researchers learned that by preserving large superficial leg veins intended for coronary bypass grafting in a mixture of the anticoagulant heparin and blood, rather than heparin and saline, the veins were better protected from cell and tissue damage. The study was limited by its short duration and small sample size -- it included 25 patients. It specifically examined veins, but was not designed to look at patient outcomes and long-term results. </p>