Rapid endothelialization of microporous vascular prostheses covered with meshed vascular tissue: a preliminary report

The aim of our study was to induce rapid endothelialization of vascular prostheses which replace malfunctioning blood vessels. We developed a technique of meshing a section of autologous arterial or venous tissue, wrapping it around a porous vascular prosthesis and fixing it with a running suture. This combination was used to replace a 1 cm segment of rat abdominal aorta. The implanted specimens were harvested after 8, 16, 24 or 135 d and evaluated for cellular ingrowth and endothelial coverage with light and scanning electron microscopy. All grafts were patent when harvested. Cells of the meshed tissue were observed to migrate through the pores in the prosthetic wall to cover the luminal surface. The presence of meshed vascular tissue around the prosthesis resulted in complete endothelialization within 24 d and sometimes within 8 d after implantation. This endothelial layer is still present after 135 d. In control prostheses without meshed vascular tissue, complete endothelialization takes at least 42 d. We conclude that the application of meshed vascular tissue around porous vascular prostheses results in patent prostheses with a rapidly formed and long-term surviving endothelium layer.