In vivo evaluation of four chemically processed biological grafts implanted as infrarenal arterial substitutes in dogs

• Published in: Biomaterials 1989-08, Vol.10 (6), p.369-379
• Main Authors: Marois, Yves, Boyer, Denis, Guidoin, Robert, Douville, Yvan, Marois, Michel, Teijeira, Francisco-Javier, Roy, Paul-Emile
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Aorta, Abdominal - surgery; Aorta, Abdominal - ultrastructure; Bioprosthesis - adverse effects; Blood Vessel Prosthesis - adverse effects; Dogs; Endothelium, Vascular - ultrastructure; Equipment Safety; Female; Graft Occlusion, Vascular - etiology; Graft Occlusion, Vascular - pathology; Graft Survival; heterografts; infrarenal grafts; Time Factors; Vascular Patency; Vascular prostheses; Wound Healing
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/0142-9612(89)90128-2

Four chemically processed grafts implanted as arterial substitutes in dogs were evaluated as blood conduits in terms of patency rates, healing characteristics and biostability. Omniflow®, Biopolymeric®, Dardik-Biograft® of the second generation and BIMA® grafts were implanted as infrarenal aortic substitutes for 4, 24 and 48 h (short-term), 1, 2 and 4 wk (medium-term), 3 and 6 month (long-term), each type of graft being implanted for a complete series. The explanted grafts were evaluated macroscopically and processed for light and scanning electron microscopy. One Omniflow® graft was occluded at 6 month and two Dardik-Biografts® were thrombosed, one at 24 h and one at 1month. All explanted grafts in the Biopolymeric® series and in the BIMA® were patent at the animals' death. Histological studies revealed frequent subintimal fibrosis in the Biopolymeric® and Omniflow grafts. A peripheral inflammatory reaction was present in most grafts explanted. Scanning electron microscopy showed an aggravation of flow surface irregularities, after implantation of Omniflow®, Biopolymeric® and Dardik-Biograft®, compared to virgin prostheses. These grafts presented an internal capsulae on the graft flow surface along the anastomoses. The capsulae slightly extended towards the centre of the graft after long-term implantation, (6 month) and corresponded to the pannus. Endothelial-like cells covered this pannus. The BIMA® graft performed the most satisfactorily and retained its blood compatibility best, that is, the luminal surface was smooth with only minor thrombotic deposits and a thin pannus along the anastomotic lines.