Long-term assessment of a damp-stored, albumin-coated, knitted vascular graft.

In a previous study the authors reported greater endothelialization and thrombus-free surface area in albumin-coated grafts compared with collagen-coated grafts after 1 month's aortic interposition. Another study was undertaken to determine whether these differences persisted after a 6-month implantation period. A 6 cm segment of either an albumin-coated [n = 6] or a collagen-coated [n = 4] graft was implanted into a canine descending thoracic aorta for 6 months. Light micrographs from multiple sections of each explanted graft were scored from 1 to 4, least to most, for tissue ingrowth, perigraft inflammation, and capsular thickness. Using computer planimetry, luminal thrombus free surface area and endothelial coverage were calculated from gross and electron photomicrographs, respectively. The results were averaged and expressed as mean +/- standard error (SEM). After 6 months, no significant differences were noted between the albumin-coated grafts and the collagen-coated grafts, both of which were durable and served equally well as scaffolds for vascular remodeling and tissue incorporation. The authors conclude that the safety, ease of handling, low porosity, low thrombogenicity, and durability of the albuminated grafts warrant their clinical trial.