Forskolin impregnation of small calibre PTFE grafts lowers early platelet graft sequestration and improves patency in a sheep model

Synthetic vascular grafts have a thrombogenic surface which plays a role in graft failure. Systemic pharmacologic interventions have been used to lower platelet sequestration onto the graft surface but are associated with side effects. In this communication we describe the results of a new therapeutic principle of applying forskolin, a powerful cyclic adenosine monophosphate stimulator (cAMP) to the inner surface of PTFE vascular grafts. The grafts were evaluated with Indium-III-oxine labelled platelets and by graft patency on 3 consecutive days after implantation at 1 month and 3 months. Forskolin significantly lowered early platelet sequestration onto the treated graft surface when compared with controls. Graft potency at 1 and 3 months was also significantly higher in the forskolin treated grafts.