Investigation of the long-term patency of a transmural heparinized polycaprolactone and poly(D,L-lactic/glycolic acid) scaffold

Background

The transmural biodegradable polycaprolactone/poly(D,L-lactic/glycolic acid) (PCL/PLGA) scaffold is a promising modality for diffuse coronary atherosclerosis cases that are not suitable for bypass grafting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term performance of the PCL/PLGA scaffold in vivo in the setting of polymer and heparin degradation.

Materials and methods

After mechanical drilling through the ventricular wall was performed in the whole ventricular wall, two scaffolds were implanted into the ventricular wall. Animals were grouped into the single drilling group (SD group), the blank scaffold group (BS group), and the heparinized scaffold group (HS group) and were allowed to survived for 6 mo. Next, the patency and integrity of the scaffolds were evaluated by echocardiography and 3D-DOCTOR software. Endothelium coverage of the lumen was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Neovessels and collagen fiber within the scaffolds were identified by histologic staining. Metabolite production of prostacyclin (PGI₂) and thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) in the plasma was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of PGI₂ synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) involved in PGI₂ production and COX-1 involved in TXA₂ production were measured by Western blot analysis.

Results

The heparinized scaffolds were patent for up to 6 mo and the lumen was covered with confluent endothelial cells. Histologic staining revealed collagen fiber remodeling and reconstruction of the neovascular network immediately surrounding the lumen. The expression of PGI₂ synthase and COX-2 in the HS group was significantly higher compared with the SD and BS groups (P < 0.01). The expression of COX-1 was similar in the three groups (P > 0.05). Consistent with synthetase expression, a PGI₂ metabolite (6-keto-PGF1a) also showed a significant increase in the HS group relative to the SD and BS groups (P = 0.021 and P = 0.015, respectively). Concomitantly, as a PGI₂ antagonist, the TXA₂ metabolite (TXB₂) did not exhibit a significant difference among the three groups (P = 0.17).

Conclusions

Despite polymer and heparin degradation, the scaffold could continuously maintain the structural integrity and lumen patency for up to 6 mo by reinforcement of host collagen fiber and the balance of PGI₂/TXA₂.