Experience on endothelial cell adhesion on vascular stents and stent-grafts: first in vitro results.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate endothelial cell (EC) attachment on different stents and stent-grafts combined with different coating materials.


METHODS
Three segments (approximately 1cm(2) each) of Cragg-, Memotherm-, Palmaz-, Strecker-, and Wall-stents, uncovered or covered with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyurethane (PU) or polyester (Dacron) were precoated with fibronectin and seeded in vitro under steady conditions with 2 x 10(5) human venous EC/cm(2) for 2 days. EC attachment and morphology was assessed by scanning electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Superior EC attachment on uncovered stents was seen on Memotherm-, Palmaz-, and Wall-stent. On uncovered Cragg- and Strecker-stent only a few single and rounded EC could be detected. PTFE-covering lead to an equal or decreased EC coverage in comparison with the uncovered prostheses. An increase in EC coverage on PU-covered stents was seen and on polyester covered stents as compared with uncovered stents.


CONCLUSIONS
In vitro, EC attachment is clearly different on vascular stents and stent-grafts, probably depending on the material of the stents stent and unknown manufacturing related components. When EC adhesion is desired and stent covering is used, the choice of covering material may influence EC adhesion.
Müller-Hülsbeck
Stefan
S
Department of Radiology, Hospital of Radiotherapy, Kiel, Germany. muehue@rad.uni-kiel.de
Walluscheck
Knut P
KP
Priebe
Markus
M
Grimm
Jan
J
Cremer
Jochen
J
Heller
Martin
M
D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011091:Polyesters; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015607:Stents; D013499:Surface Properties
D011091:Polyesters; D011140:Polyurethanes; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene