VEIN GRAFT-COATED VASCULAR STENTS - A FEASIBILITY STUDY IN A CANINE MODEL

Purpose: To evaluate different vein grafts for luminal coating of endo vascular stents in normal canine arteries. Methods: Twenty-four tantal um Strecker stents were coated with either autologous (n = 10), denatu red heterologous (n = 11), or denatured homologous vein grafts (n = 3) . The carotid artery (n = 11) and the iliac artery (n = 13) were stent ed using a transfemoral approach. Angiograms were performed at days 0, 7, and 21, and months 3, 6, and 9. All grafts underwent histological examination. Results: Eight of 10 autologous vein grafts showed patenc y during the whole observation period of 9 months, without histologica l signs of inflammation. Denatured heterologous vein grafts revealed a cute (n = 3), subacute (n = 5), or delayed (n = 3) vessel occlusion. H yaloid transformation of the vein graft and lymphoplasmacellular forma tions were seen. Denatured homologous vein grafts showed acute vessel occlusion. Although significant inflammatory tissue response was seen, no host-versus-graft reaction was present. Conclusion: Autologous vei n graft-coated stents showed good biocompatibility in canine arteries. Preparation was cumbersome and required surgical venaesectio. Denatur ed vein grafts, however, were limited by inflammatory reactions.