Improvement of Novel Small-Diameter Tissue Engineered Arterial Graft with Heparin Conjugation.

Abstract Background Small diameter ( Methods TEVGs were created with an outer poly-e-caprolactone electrospun nanofiber layer, with a 15 μm average pore size, and an inner layer composed of a 50:50 poly(l-lactide-co-e-caprolactone) copolymer. Adult female sheep (n=5) underwent bilateral carotid artery interposition grafting, with control TEVG in one carotid artery and HE-TEVG in the contralateral position. Animals were followed for 8 weeks with weekly Duplex ultrasonography to monitor TEVG performance. Results All sheep survived to the designated endpoint. At 8 weeks, all five HE-TEVGs were patent. Three out of five control TEVGs had early thrombotic occlusion 97% of heparin release occurred within the first 24 hours. Histological evaluation of the HE-TEVG displayed cellularity like a native carotid artery with no evidence of calcification. Significantly fewer platelets adhered to the HE-TEVG than the control TEVG (p Conclusions This study suggests HE-TEVGs prevent acute graft thrombosis. We hypothesize that the heparin-eluting properties of the HE-TEVG during vascular endothelialization is useful for maintaining TEVG patency. This technique may aid in the translation of small arterial TEVGs to the clinic.