A new approach to in vivo testing of vascular grafts?

We present an novel approach to in vivo testing of vascular grafts. Seven grafts of two different materials, each with an inner diameter of 5 mm, were joined together to form a bundle, the ends of which were joined to connecting segments with an inner diameter of about 15 mm. The device was then implanted into the abdominal aorta of an experimental animal. After surgery, the animal was followed by CT scan at regular intervals to assess patency of each individual graft. The model features an increased number of grafts per animal with standardized anastomoses and hemodynamic conditions, but it needs modification to lower its thrombogenic potential.