Seeding of autogenous endothelial cells to inner surface of small-caliber dacron vascular prostheses. An experimental study on canines

We presented the experimental results of endothelial cells (EC) seeding in small caliber interpositional dacron grafts of canine carotid arteries. Six weeks after surgery, 9 (56.25%) seeded, and 6 (37.5%) control grafts remained patent. The mean thrombus-free surface area was 83.4% in the seeded and 62% in the controls. The mean volume of thrombus was 74 mg and 218 mg respectively (P less than 0.05). Morphologically, the endothelial layer extension on the graft from the host artery was less than 1 cm. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that a thin luminal layer was composed of flat polygonal cells at the seeded midgrafts, and that fibrous tissues were covered with numerous platelets, fibrin, and blood cells at the unseeded midgrafts. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that cells on the seeded midgrafts were characterized by endothelial cells. We conclude that endothelial cells seeding could improve the performance of small-caliber dacron prostheses.