Structural stability of long-term implants of a collagen-based vascular prosthesis.
Samples of an ovine collagen-polyester composite device suitable for peripheral revascularization, the Omniflow Vascular Prosthesis, have been retrieved for morphological and immunohistological analyses during and up to 4 years of implantation in a dog aortoiliac by-pass model.  At the various sample times, the prosthesis explants were shown to retain their structural integrity, with no aneurysm formation and with little thrombus accumulation.  Immunohistological studies on samples of the prosthesis showed that the original ovine collagen was still present after 4 years, and that there had been augmentation by the deposition of new, host-derived connective tissue.
CSIRO, Division of Biomolecular Engineering, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
J A
JA
Werkmeister
V
V
Glattauer
T A
TA
Tebb
J A
JA
Ramshaw
G A
GA
Edwards
G
G
Roberts
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D004285:Dogs; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular; D011091:Polyesters; D012756:Sheep; D014654:Vascular Patency