[Evaluation of vascular prostheses made of carbon fiber]

The whole work was aimed at experimental estimation of the healing process in case of carbon fibre vascular prostheses implanted into the abdominal aorta of a dog. The tests applied to carbon fibre woven prostheses made in the USSR. All metrological and chemical tests were performed at the Knitting Industry Main Centre for Research and Development "Tricomed" in Lódź. Experimental examinations were performed on 12 dogs. Prostheses were implanted into dog's abdominal aorta "end to the end" with the help of threads type Mersilen 4-0 or Prolen 4-0. The dogs were observed for 53 to 121 days, i.e. their behaviour, condition of the postoperative wound and presence of pulse in the femoral arteries were taken into consideration. Upon the completion of the observation autopsy was performed. Thus obtained material was fixed in 9% formalin and next various dyeing methods were applied to it. During examination in autopsy no inflammatory reactions in the tissues adjacent to implanted prostheses were discovered. In each case there was a continuous and firm adhesion of prosthesis and neighbouring inferior caval vein. A newly developed so called "neoadventitia" in the lumen of the prostheses constituted a solid and uniform film covering the wall of the prosthesis. Haematoma in the nearabout of the prosthesis was found in two cases only. Close to anastomosis ordinary clusters of lymphocytes and numerous fibroblasts as well as collagen fibre between prosthesis plexus were discovered. On the basis of the examinations performed a conclusion could be drawn, i.e. the process of healing was followed by regular structure of new aorta walls together with well developed flexible and springy fibre and neglidgeble immunological reactions.