Histologic findings in polyacrylamide-coated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) arterial grafts in the rat abdominal aorta

• Published in: Journal of reconstructive microsurgery Vol. 14; no. 7; p. 491
• Main Authors: Maeda, M, Fukui, A, Nakamura, T, Inada, Y, Tamai, S, Haga, S, Tatsumi, K, Yamamoto, H, Ogata, S, Iwata, H, Ikada, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.10.1998
• Subjects: Acrylic Resins; Animals; Aorta, Abdominal - surgery; Aorta, Abdominal - ultrastructure; Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; Coated Materials, Biocompatible; Male; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Polytetrafluoroethylene; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0743-684X
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1000212

To improve cell attachment without inducing thrombogenesis, the authors coated the inner surface of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) prostheses (I.D.: 1 mm; length: 10 mm; wall thickness: 0.5 mm; fibril length: 30 microm) with polyacrylamide (PAA), known to have a strong antithrombotic effect (PAA-PTFE). They implanted the prostheses into the abdominal aorta of rats, and retrieved them at intervals of up to 9 months. Graft healing was observed under light and scanning electron microscopy. All the inner surfaces of the grafts examined were barely covered with fibrin or platelets. The PAA-coated fibers had many projections, in contrast to the original PTFE prostheses. Neo-endothelium was observed to be directly attached to these structural fibers of the PAA-PTFE grafts. Restoration of the neointima was also observed in these vascular prostheses.