Evaluation of the Hemodynamics of a Tissue-engineered Hybrid Graft

Abstract

We evaluated the hemodynamics of tissue-engineered hybrid graft in vivo. The hybrid expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) scaffold was fabricated by coating the ePTFE graft with poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) solution. This scaffold was turned into an engineered hybrid graft by culturing smooth muscle cells on its surface. Both the ePTFE (n = 6) and the engineered hybrid grafts (n = 8) were implanted in the carotid arteries of mongrel dogs. The length of intima in the engineered hybrid graft was greater than the ePTFE. The neoarterial thickness in the engineered hybrid group was greater, and the foreign body reaction was more severe. We compared the hemodynamics (diameter, flow rate, pulsatile index, mean velocity, shear stress, resistance index, and systolic/diastolic ratio) of the native arteries in the distal anastmosis. The shear rate in the engineered hybrid group was higher immediately after implantation, and the resistance index was lower, but there was no significant difference after 4 weeks. The engineered grafts demonstrated similar hemodynamics with the ePTFE grafts after 4 weeks implantation.