In a pig model ePTFE grafts will sustain for 6 weeks a confluent endothelial cell layer formed in vitro under shear stress conditions. |
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| Authors: | R Büttemeyer J W Mall M Paulitschke A Rademacher A W Philipp |
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| Affiliation: | Department of General, Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Medical Faculty of the Humboldt University, Charité, Campus Mitte, Schumannstrasse 20/21, 10117 Berlin, Germany. |
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| Abstract: | 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. MATERIALS AND 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. CONCLUSION: in this pig model ePTFE grafts sustained for 6 weeks a confluent endothelial cell layer formed in vitro under shear stress. |
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