Initial results of endothelial cell seeding following argon laser carotid endarterectomy

This study evaluates the initial results of endothelial cell (EC) seeding following argon laser carotid endarterectomy. Venous endothelial cells were harvested from 12 dogs and cultured. A laser endarterectomy was performed on both carotids of each dog. One side was seeded with endothelial cells. Six dogs had both carotids harvested 1 hour after restoring blood flow. The others were harvested in 24 hours. The percentage of lumen covered with EC was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. At 1 hour, the seeded arteries demonstrated 35 +/- 3 percent EC coverage, whereas the unseeded arteries had no EC coverage (P = 0.0002). At 24 hours, the seeded arteries had 58 +/- 15 percent EC coverage, whereas the unseeded arteries had no coverage (P = 0.01). Significant gross thrombus developed only in unseeded arteries (P = 0.047), two of which were occluded at 24 hours. EC seeding is beneficial following argon laser carotid endarterectomy resulting in improved patency and less surface thrombogenicity.