Vanessa Heim, Maria Ioannou-Nikolaidou, Anh-Vu Nguyen, Lynn Muller, Veronika Niedrist, Jakob Hirsch, Jonas Eder, Dominik Hau, Leo Winter-Pölzl, Clemens Engler, Ronja Lohmann, Felix Nägele, Gerald Brandacher, Stefan Schneeberger, Nikolaos Bonaros, Michael Grimm, Can Gollmann-Tepeköylü, Michael Graber
The investigation of patency and remodeling in venous grafts requires a reproducible animal model that enables the study of the underlying cellular and molecular processes. Here, we describe a simplified mouse model for venous bypass grafts, in which the inferior thoracic vena cava (IVC) of a donor mouse is interposed into the common carotid artery of a recipient mouse using a cuff technique. The procedure is divided into four basic protocols, which includes the harvesting of the inferior vena cava from donor mice (Basic Protocol 1), the preparation of the common carotid artery (Basic Protocol 2), the interposition of the inferior vena cava graft (Basic Protocol 3), and post-operative care (Basic Protocol 4). Detailed step-by-step instructions and an instructional video are provided to facilitate microsurgical training and to improve the reproducibility and accessibility of the procedure. This model enables the investigation of the patency and remodeling of venous grafts and provides a platform for researching the cellular and molecular mechanisms contributing to venous graft failure, as well as for evaluating potential therapeutic interventions. © 2026 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Harvest of inferior caval vein from donor mice Basic Protocol 2: Preparation of the common carotid artery Basic Protocol 3: Inferior vena cava graft interposition Basic Protocol 4: Postoperative management.