Preliminary report: Evaluation of tissue ingrowth into experimental Replamineform vascular prostheses.

A new experimental arterial prosthesis has been developed by replacing the minimal surface microporous calcite structure of sea urchine spines. Prostheses having a 4 mm. inside diameter and a homogenous 15 to 20 mu porous network have been prepared in bioelectric polyurethane and segmented polyurethane. Ten prostheses were placed in the femoral and carotid arteries of dogs weighing 27 to 35 kilograms and were harvested at a time interval of 3 to 14 days to characterize the tissue ingrowth. Eight of the ten prostheses were widely patent at time of harvest, with tissue ingrowth evident as early as the third day and with complete fibroblastic and capillary penetration of the 1 mm. thick walls developed by the end of one week. By 2 weeks there was uniform formation of 50 to 100 mu well organized neointimal surfaces.