Endothelial cell seeding of small-caliber synthetic grafts in the baboon.

Endothelial cell (EC) seeding has been proposed as a method to improve the performance of small-caliber synthetic vascular prostheses. Seeding experiments to date have all been carried out in the dog. This study investigates EC seeding of small-caliber Dacron carotid interposition grafts compared with contralateral control grafts in the baboon. Surface thrombogenicity was assessed at 24 hours, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after implantation with indium 111-labeled autologous platelets. Morphologic and immunohistochemical techniques were used to assess the identity and homogeneity of the EC inoculum before seeding and to identify cell types on the harvested grafts. There was no significant difference in patency rates between seeded and control grafts at 5 weeks. Platelet accumulation on seeded grafts was significantly less (p less than 0.05) than on paired controls at 2 and 4 weeks after implantation. The luminal lining of seeded grafts had more cellular ingrowth, less adherent thrombus, and more surface cells with the morphologic and histochemical characteristics of EC than did the lining of controls. EC seeding reduces the platelet reactivity and accelerates EC coverage of small-caliber grafts in the baboon.