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Purpose To evaluate the intermediate performance of small-caliber, long-fibril expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular grafts pretreated with covalent bonding of fibronectin in dogs. Methods Small-caliber (4 mm), long-fibril (60 µm), ePTFE vascular grafts, 10 cm in length, were pretreated by covalent bonding of fibronectin. Bilateral iliac grafting was done in dogs using a fibronectin-bonded graft on one side and a nonbonded control graft on the other side. The grafts were retrieved 12 weeks after implantation, and subjected to histomorphometric analysis. Results Although the patency rates of the fibronectin-bonded and control grafts were the same (3/7, 43%), the fibronectin-bonded grafts showed almost complete neointimal healing, whereas the nonbonded control grafts showed only partial neointimal healing, proximally and distally. Conclusions Small-caliber, long-fibril ePTFE vascular grafts with covalent bonding of fibronectin achieved almost complete neointimal healing by the time of retrieval at 12 weeks. This indicates that, with further modifications, our new technique for covalent bonding of fibronectin has great potential in the development of small-caliber arterial prosthetic grafts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To determine whether fibril length is correlated with graft healing as well as cellular and capillary ingrowth in a canine carotid implantation model. Methods Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular grafts with three different fibril lengths (30, 60, and 90?µm) were implanted into the carotid artery in dogs. They were retrieved 4 weeks later, and subjected to histomorphometric analysis. Results Endothelial healing was best in the 60-µm grafts. Not only cellular ingrowth but also capillary ingrowth was most evident in the 60-µm grafts, followed by the 90-µm grafts and then the 30-µm grafts. Conclusion Better endothelial healing of ePTFE vascular grafts is correlated with more cellular and capillary ingrowth, but more cellular and capillary ingrowth is not correlated with longer fibril length or higher air porosity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]