Endothelial cell seeding of small-diameter vascular grafts.

Small-diameter double velour dacron vascular grafts were seeded with autologous canine endothelial cells, implanted in the canine carotid arteries and the in vivo progress of graft luminal endothelial surfacing followed. Sixty-five percent of the experimental grafts were successfully seeded. Comparison of patency, endothelial cell coverage, thrombus-free surface, and inner capsule thickness between seeded and control grafts revealed enhancement of graft performance by cell seeding. Peroxidase-antiperoxidase staining was utilized to positively identify graft luminal endothelium.