[Experimental study of a biological micro-arterial prosthesis]

An arterial prosthesis prepared from human placental arteries, diameter 1.0 mm, length 20 mm, was evaluated after implantation into the infrarenal region of the aorta of the rat. The permeability rate after one year (70%) compares favorably with results after fresh arterial autografts. Histology showed that the prosthesis acted as a matrix colonizable by the tissues of the recipient. The internal surface of the tube was covered by a tissular layer in which fibrillary elements suggestive of elastic fibers were developing.