In vitro endothelialisation of arteriovenous loop grafts for haemodialysis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility in a pilot study of in vitro endothelialisation of PTFE grafts used as interposition arteriovenous fistulas in uraemic patients.


METHODS
Autologous saphenous vein endothelial cells were harvested and cultured on PTFE grafts in seven patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis. The patients had several previous failures of vascular access sites. The patients were followed with duplex ultrasound, clinical examination and in one case an explanted graft was examined.


RESULTS
At the end of follow-up four of the seven patients had patent grafts. One patient occluded the graft immediately postoperatively and another after 3.5 months. The former patient received a second endothelialised graft. In two further patients revision of the outflow was performed. In two patients a functioning graft was excised, in one case because of bleeding of a venous aneurysm and in one case because of suspected infection. The former which was excised 5 weeks postoperatively revealed that 85% of the surface was covered by endothelial cells.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study shows that in vitro endothelialisation of PTFE grafts used for haemodialysis is possible in uraemic patients. In this highly problematic patient group the results are promising with endothelial cell coverage after 5 weeks of implantation.
Swedenborg
J
J
Department of Surgery, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Bengtsson
L
L
Clyne
N
N
Dryjski
M
M
Gillis
C
C
Rosfors
S
S
Haegerstrand
A
A
D000368:Aged; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000166:cytology; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014511:Uremia / Q000628:therapy; D014654:Vascular Patency
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene