Microvascular endothelial cell sodding of ePTFE vascular grafts: improved patency and stability of the cellular lining.

Small diameter (< 6 mm) synthetic vascular grafts fail at a clinically unacceptable rate due in large part to their inherent thrombogenicity. The development of a new cellular lining on synthetic vascular grafts would most likely improve the patency rates observed for these grafts in small diameter positions. We have evaluated the use of endothelial cell transplantation to accelerate the formation of a cell lining using microvascular endothelial cells derived from canine falciform ligament fat. This source of fat is histologically similar to human liposuction fat and was isolated using a collagenase digestion technique identical to methods used for human liposuction fat microvessel endothelial cell isolation. The isolated fat endothelial cells were sodded onto 4 mm ePTFE grafts using pressure to force the cells onto the luminal surface. This pressure sodding method permitted cell deposition in less then 3 min. Sodded and control (non-cell-treated) grafts were implanted as interpositional paired grafts using end-to-end anastomoses in the carotid arteries of mixed breed dogs. Each dog therefore received a sodded graft on one side and a control graft on the contralateral side. After 12 weeks of implantation all control grafts were occluded while 86% of the cell-sodded grafts remained patent. Statistical evaluation of the data revealed a significant improvement in patency of cell sodded grafts (McNemar's chi 2 P = .02). Morphological evaluation of grafts explanted at 5, 12, 26, and 52 weeks following implantation revealed the presence of a cell lining on sodded grafts which remained stable for a period of at least one year. This new cell lining exhibited morphologic characteristics of a nonthrombogenic endothelial cell lining. The development of this new intima, evaluated 5 weeks-1 year after implantation, was not associated with a progressive intimal hyperplasia. From these data we conclude that microvessel endothelial cells derived from canine falciform ligament fat can be rapidly isolated using an operating room compatible method. Cell deposition on synthetic grafts is subsequently accelerated using a pressure sodding technique. A cellular lining forms on the inner surface and is associated with a statistically significant improvement in the function of sodded grafts in a canine carotid artery model.