1990 Volume 19 Issue 3 Pages 1292-1296
Long-term animal study of a vascular graft that can grow with the growth of its recepient was performed. Human saphenous vein was used as the substrate material. It was dipped into distilled water and sonicated, resulting in cell destruction, and followed by cross-linking with polyepoxy compound. Four milimeter inner diameter (ID) grafts, enveloped with polyester mesh tubes of 10mm ID, were implanted in the thoracic descending aortae of 15 puppies. The diameter of the grafts grew to 9.5mm from original 4mm after 1 year. Eight animals were used for the long-term observation o f more than 300 days till 2 years and 11 months. The grafts maintained their expected size after their full growth. There was no degenerative changes such as calcification of the graft wall. The light microscopical observations revealed that the original saphenous vein graft was absorved after 1 year. Neoarterial wall with full endothelialization was formed with polyester mesh reinforcement. These results supported that the graft has high fesicability of clinical use without any problem.
