Abstract
Neo-arterial wall formation by host cells, such as endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts was observed in an acellular chemically-treated heterologous biological vascular graft. Fresh ovine carotid artery was treated with a hydrophilic polyepoxy compound for 24 hrs at room temperature. Then the graft, 4 cm long by 5 mm internal diameter, was implanted into the thoracic aorta of 6 dogs end-to-end without a temporary shunt. The grafts were evaluated from 7 days to 104 days after implantation with a light microscope, scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM). Microscopically, infiltration of fibroblasts into the graft wall was observed 7 days after implantation. By SEM, endothelial cells were observed extending onto the inner surface of the graft, also 7 days after implantation. Smooth muscle cells were observed sporadically at the adventitia side of the media at 64 days by TEM and as a layer at 104 days after implantation. There were no foreign body reactions of the arterial wall of implanted vascular graft. A natural arrangement of host cells is unique in a heteorologous chemically treated biological graft.
