In a pig model ePTFE grafts will sustain for 6 weeks a confluent endothelial cell layer formed in vitro under shear stress conditions.
OBJECTIVE
to investigate in a pig model whether small diameter ePTFE grafts will sustain a confluent endothelial cell layer formed in vitro under shear stress conditions.


METHODS
thirteen ePTFE (4 mm) grafts were implanted end to end in the right femoral artery of; 8 grafts had been endothelialized in vitro. Grafts were left in situ for 6 weeks then evaluated with ultrasound and histology.


RESULTS
seven endothelialized graft were patent with confluent endothelial cell lining. None of the control grafts were patent or showed evidence of an endothelial lining.


CONCLUSIONS
in this pig model ePTFE grafts sustained for 6 weeks a confluent endothelial cell layer formed in vitro under shear stress.
Büttemeyer
R
R
Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Medical Faculty of the Humboldt University, Charité, Campus Mitte, Schumannstrasse 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
Mall
J W
JW
Paulitschke
M
M
Rademacher
A
A
Philipp
A W
AW
D000818:Animals; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D008954:Models, Biological; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014654:Vascular Patency
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene