Basic aspects of the regeneration of small-calibre neoarteries in biodegradable vascular grafts in rats.
In this report, an overview is given of the research concerning the development of a new type of small-calibre vascular graft: a hydrophilic, microporous, compliant, biodegradable graft is presented, which functions as a temporary scaffold for the regeneration of a new arterial wall (neoartery). The basic healing process, the distinct effects of hydrophilicity, microporosity, compliance and biodegradation, the smooth muscle cell orientation and the effect of cell-seeding on this healing process in these grafts are described and discussed. It is concluded that vascular grafts, prepared from a material of optimal hydrophilicity, microporosity, compliance and rate of biodegradation, combined with smooth muscle and/or endothelial cell-seeding may provide a rapid development of a neoartery independent of the graft length.
D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D012038:Regeneration
D001672:Biocompatible Materials