STUDY OF MICROVASCULAR POLYESTER PROSTHESIS IN RAT CAROTID ARTERIES

The implantation of a microvascular polyester prosthesis (MPP) (intern al diameter 1 mm, length 10 mm) in the carotid arteries was studied in 48 Sprague-Dawley rats. The left carotid artery was resected to 7 mm in length and replaced with MPP by means of sleeve anastomoses. Postop eratively the patency was monitored with Doppler ultrasound at 24 and 72 hr, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 12 weeks and was confirmed either by direct inspection intraoperatively or by angiography at the time of re moval. At each monitoring time, all the thrombosed and some selected p atent grafts were removed and prepared for scanning electron microscop y (SEM) study. The early patency rate was 100% within 24 hr, and the c umulative long-term patency rate was 77.1% at 12 weeks. Rapid and comp lete endothelial lining (EL) restoration was demonstrated 3 weeks afte r operation, which provided a smooth and nonthrombogenic surface, and contributed to the long-term patency. Ten of the 11 failed grafts occu rred within 3 weeks, that is, before EL, due to thrombosis. These obse rvations indicate that MPP can be successfully used as arterial condui ts in rats, and an enhanced patency rate may be expected with the use of anticoagulants or endothelial cell seeding for prevention of early thrombosis. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.