Reinforcement of small-diameter decellularized blood vessel by electrospun fiber

Abstract

In this study, a decellularized porcine aorta having long length was converted to a small-diameter vascular graft and then covered with electrospun segmented polyurethane (SPU) fibers in order to reinforce its mechanical property. The intima-media of aorta was decellularized using high hydrostatic pressure method. The decellularized intima-media was formed cylindrically and covered with SPU by using our original electrospinning apparatus. For SEM observation, two layers of inner decellularized intima-media and outer SPU fibers were observed. The thickness of SPU fibers was increased with increasing of electrospinning time. The extensibility of the hybrid blood vessel was inhibited by covering of SPU fibers. Also, the stiffness of them was similar to that of native blood vessels by controlling the thickness of SPU fibers. From these results, the compliance matching the hybrid blood vessel could be applicable as a novel small-diameter vascular graft.