title: Characteristics of polyester arterial grafts coated with albumin: the role and importance of the cross-linking chemicals.
abstract: Preclotting is mandatory prior to implanting a knitted polyester arterial graft, unless the structure is made impermeable to blood by coating with a bioerodible material. Before achieving wide-spread clinical acceptance, the technique of impregnating with cross-linked albumin must be optimized in order to develop a graft that is immediately implantable, easy to handle and suture and has improved healing characteristics. The choice of the chemical to cross-link the albumin is of paramount importance. In this study two alternative candidates have been evaluated by using a series of tests to measure the physical properties, the morphology and the cytocompatibility of albumin-coated grafts. A carbodiimide cross-linking agent appears more promising than glutaraldehyde, since it is equally effective in producing a blood impermeable prosthesis, yet presents improved biocompatibility and provokes a less intense inflammatory response from the host.
mesh_terms: D000447:Aldehydes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002234:Carbodiimides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D005022:Ethyldimethylaminopropyl Carbodiimide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005976:Glutaral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011091:Polyesters; D012709:Serum Albumin
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002234:Carbodiimides; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D011091:Polyesters; D012709:Serum Albumin; D005022:Ethyldimethylaminopropyl Carbodiimide; D005976:Glutaral