Objective To study the feasibility of transplanting human saphanous vein endothelial cells to luminal surface of blood vessel prosthesis and to play a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of autologous endothelial cell transplantation. Methods Human saphanous vein endothelial cells were harvested with 0.1% collagenase and cultivated in vitro for 13.08±1.24 days. The cultures were confirmed as endothelial cells with the fourescent linked anti-Ⅷ antigen antibodies. The content of both 6-keto-PGF1α and Von Willebrand factor (vWF) in the supernatant were detected with ELISA and radioimmunoassay. The multiplied cells were lined in vitro onto the luminal surface of expanded polytetraflouroethylene (ePTFE) grafts precoated with fibrin glue and fibronectin, then cultivated again for 9 days. Results 11.46±2.69×１０６ of available endothelial cells could be regularly obtained, the number of endothelial cells increased 147.93±88.68 times when culture were terminated. All the cells diploid cells with a purity of 99%. The content of both 6-keto-PGF1α and vWF in the media showed no significant difference between the primary and subculture passages. The luminal surface of grafts was covered completely by a spindlelike endothelial monolayer and an even fibrin glue matrix could be seen underneath. Conclusion Endothelial cells derived from human saphanous veins might be feasible to be transplanted onto the luminal surface of ePTFE and present a potential clinical application.
Objective To understand the value of pre-coating in artificial vessel endothelialization. Methods Literature concerning precoating in artificial vessel endothelialization was extensively reviewed. Results Pre-coating included chemical coatings(collagen, fibronectin, laminin, poly-l-lysin, gelatin andextracellular matrix), pre-clotting(plasma, blood, serum and fibrin glue), chemical bonding (heparin, RGD and lectins) and surface modification. Most of them could enhance the adhesion of the endothelial cells. Conclusion Pre-coating couldimprove endothelialization, but further research is needed to search for the appropriate concentration and incubation time.
ObjectiveTo investigate whether the recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) can promote endothelialization, inhibit vascular intimal hyperplasia, and improve long-term patency rate by the treatment of rhGH after vascular prostheses bypass. MethodsBetween August 2007 and January 2009, 94 patients with lower extremity arteriosclerotic occlusive disease were treated. Among them, 32 patients (34 limbs) who met the selection criteria were enrolled in this study. All cases were randomly divided into study group (16 cases, 18 limbs) and control group (16 cases, 16 limbs). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in gender, age, disease time, location of lesions, the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) grade, and basic diseases between 2 groups. The patients with superficial femoral artery disease received above-knee femoro-popliteal prostheses bypass. The patients who had combined abdominal-iliac artery disease received concurrent abdominal-femoral and femoro-popliteal prostheses bypass. Subcutaneous injection of 9 U rhGH was given every night for 7 days in study group, and saline was applied in control group. Ultrasonography was taken after 2 weeks and 3 months of operation to observe the patency and measure the wall thickness of vascular prostheses. ResultsAfter operation, 1 patient of control group died of renal failure caused by acute thrombosis. After 2 weeks, ultrasonography showed no obvious intimal hyperplasia in 2 groups; the wall thickness was (0.13±0.02) cm in study group and (0.15±0.03) cm in control group, showing no significant difference (t=-1.720, P=0.108). After 3 months, the wall thickness was (0.17±0.06) cm in study group and was (0.26±0.09) cm in control group, showing significant difference (t=-2.240, P=0.045). All cases were followed up 36-60 months (mean, 56.4 months). The 5-year primary patency rate was 52.5% in study group and 35.7% in control group, showing no significant difference (χ2=1.470, P=0.225). ConclusionThe rhGH can improve endothelialization in vascular prostheses and can inhibit postoperative vascular intimal hyperplasia in clinical application.
The Dacron grafts seeded with autologous venous fragments were implanted into IVC of 13 canines as seeded group and the control grafts (8 cases), which were only preclotted with fresh blood. The amounts of cAMP and cGMP in serum and within platelet were measured. All of the specimens explanted at exsaguination were observed morphologically. The results shown that the total patency rate were 61.5% in seeded group, but 25.0% in control one and new endothelial lining formed at two weeks after implantation of the seeded grafts. The amounts of cAMP in serum and within platelet were higher in seeded group, but the amounts of cGMP were lower in serum and within platelet. These were in accordance with the results that the endothelialization of the grafts were complete in seeded group but not complete in control one. The results indicate that seeding Dacron with autologous venous fragment makes new endothelium formed at two weeks after implantation, increases the amounts of cAMP in serum and within platelet, but reduces the amounts of cGMP and thus improves graft patency rate.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical application of artificial blood vessel graft for arteriovenous fistulization. METHODS From October 1995 to August 1998, 23 cases with renal failure received PTEF artificial vessels grafting for arteriovenous fistulization in the forearm. The PTFE artificial vessel was 6 mm in diameter, and 40 cm in length. Artificial vessel "U"-shaped loop was formed from elbow incision to wrist incision, and perfused by 20 ml heparin saline. The two ends of artificial vessel were end-to-side anastomosed with superficial cubital vein and cubital artery respectively. RESULTS All of arteriovenous fistulas were successfully formed, and could be performed hemodialysis periodically. The artificial vessels could be punctured repeatedly, and had sufficient volume of blood flow. It had no rejection, no formation of false aneurysm, and no ischemia in arm or exacerbated reflux to heart. CONCLUSION The artificial vessel grafting for arteriovenous fistulization is a safe and convenient technique in clinical practice, especially when there is no autogenous vessels for arteriovenous fistula.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effects of revascularization in lower extremity for severe ischemia. METHODS: Fifty-six lower limbs with severe ischemia in 49 patients were evaluated retrospectively, who underwent surgical intervention from January of 1995 to December of 2000. By arteriography, the actual anatomic distributions of occlusive disease included infrarenal aorta-bicommon iliac arteries, abdominal aorta-bicommon iliac arteries, iliac artery, and femoral artery or femoropopliteal artery. The indication for surgery was disabling claudication, rest pain and gangrene. Fourteen limbs in 12 cases received arterialization of femoral venous system by artificial venous-arterial fistula. Artificial vascular grafts were implanted in 33 limbs of 28 cases, endarterectomy and patch profundaplasty were performed in 5 limbs of 5 cases, and primary amputation was carried out in 4 cases. RESULTS: During 38 months follow-up in average, 4 limbs were amputated within 52 revascularizated limbs, and accumulated amputation rate was 14.3%. Patency rate was 68.4% in arterial revascularization limbs (26/38 limbs), and limb survival rate was 94.7%(36/38 limbs) by procedure of artificial vascular grafts, endarterectomy and patch profundaplasty. Limb survival rate in procedure of artificial venous-arterial fistula was 85.7%(12/14 limbs). CONCLUSION: In treatment of severe lower extremity ischemia, the effective revascularization can be achieved by artificial vascular bypass, endarterectomy and patch profundaplasty, or arterialization of femoral venous system. Options in the surgical management should depend on individual. Arteriography is essential for revascularization and properly planning a practicable surgical approach.