Transformation of nonvascular acellular tissue matrices into durable vascular conduits.
BACKGROUND
Prosthetic grafts commonly used for vascular reconstruction are limited to synthetics and cross-linked tissue grafts. Within these devices, graft infections are common, compliance mismatch is significant, and handling qualities are poor. Natural biological tissues that are unfixed have been shown to resist infections and be durable and compliant. A natural biological matrix that could be remodeled appropriately after implantation would be a desirable graft for vascular reconstruction.


METHODS
SynerGraft tissue engineering strategies have been used to minimize antigenicity and produce stable unfixed vascular grafts from nonvascular bovine tissues. These grafts have replaced the abdominal aortas of 8 dogs that have been followed for up to 10 months.


RESULTS
Early evaluation indicates rapid recellularization by recipient smooth muscle actin positive cells, which become arranged circumferentially, into the media. Arterioles were present in the adventitial areas and endothelial cells were seen to cover lumenal surfaces. After 10 months, grafts were patent and not aneurysmal.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that SynerGraft processing of animal tissues is capable of producing stable vascular conduits that exhibit long-term functionality in other species.
Clarke
D R
DR
CryoLife Incorporated, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144, USA.
Lust
R M
RM
Sun
Y S
YS
Black
K S
KS
Ollerenshaw
J D
JD
D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D004285:Dogs; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology