Development of a dual-component infection-resistant arterial replacement for small-caliber reconstructions: A...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Vascular Surgery
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Small-caliber synthetic vascular grafts (<6mm) face challenges like intimal hyperplasia, thrombosis, limited availability, immunogenicity, degeneration, calcification, and infection.
• Existing graft options (homografts, bioprostheses) have significant limitations for small vessel reconstruction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a dual-component vascular graft for small-caliber reconstructions.
• To assess the impact of decellularization techniques, sterilization methods, and sleeve composition on graft properties.

Main Methods:

• Decellularization of tibial arteries using Triton X-100 and sodium-dodecyl-sulfate, with nucleases.
• Sterilization of scaffolds using peracetic acid and γ-irradiation.
• Fabrication of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL)/polyethylene glycol (PEG) blend sleeves with varying PCL/PEG ratios and antibiotic incorporation methods.

Main Results:

• Decellularized scaffolds maintained native histoarchitecture and biomechanics but lost glycosaminoglycans.
• Peracetic acid sterilization altered collagen IV and ultrastructural integrity of scaffolds.
• PCL/PEG ratios and antibiotic incorporation methods influenced sleeve properties and antimicrobial activity.

Conclusions:

• A dual-component small-caliber vascular graft was successfully fabricated.
• The graft combines a functional scaffold with an antibiotic-releasing PCL/PEG sleeve.
• This approach shows potential for improved small-caliber vascular reconstruction.