Improved patency of an elastomeric vascular graft by hybridization.
A newly devised hybrid graft with high antithrombogenicity for small caliber vascular grafts was developed. The design concept was based on the incorporation of a compliant open cell structured graft, autogenous endothelial cells (ECs), and artificial basement membrane. The latter, a gel complex of type I collagen and dermatan sulfate that showed enhanced adhesion and growth of ECs but reduced platelet adhesion, was coated onto a microporous polyurethane graft (internal diameter, 3 mm; length, 4.5 cm), with near-natural compliance. Ten seeded grafts were implanted bilaterally into the carotid arteries of dogs; anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy was not administered. This hybrid graft showed a marked improvement in patency at 1 month compared with that of simply preclotted grafts (control specimens). This result was explained by the almost complete endothelialization when the graft was implanted, a high degree of adherent strength resistance to shear stress, and a high proliferative potential. Thus, this approach of combining biomechanical and cellular engineering designs may lead to an important functional small caliber graft.
Miwa
H
H
Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan.
Matsuda
T
T
Kondo
K
K
Tani
N
N
Fukaya
Y
Y
Morimoto
M
M
Iida
F
F
D000818:Animals; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D004285:Dogs; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013499:Surface Properties; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D008567:Membranes, Artificial