Abstract
The antithrombogenesity and histocompatibility of a fibrin matrix was evaluated under various conditions. Vascular grafts coated with the fibrin polymer or monomer were implanted in the abdominal aortae of rabbits. The cell ingrowth was observed up to the middle of the fibrin polymer coated graft. It was indicated that ionic strength and thrombin-fibrinogen ratio (T/F ratio: U/mg) of the fibrin matrix influence matrix characteristics; anti-fibrinolysis, multiplication rate of cultured vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, platelet stimulation and fibrin formation. A suitable matrix was found to have an ionic strength index of 0.20 and T/F ratio of 0.071, 0.180. In dog carotid arteries, cell ingrowth in implanted vascular grafts with fibrin matrix of T/F ratio, 0.180 was more efficient than those with T/F ratio, 0.071. Our observations suggested that fibrin polymer matrix with ionic strength of 0.20 and T/F ratio of 0.180 has improved anti-thrombogenesity, promotes healing and should be suitable for small caliber vascular prosthesis.
