Cell Seeded Decellularised Allogeneic Matrix Grafts and Biodegradable Polydioxanone-prostheses Compared with Arterial Autografts in a Porcine Model

AbstractBackground: small diameter vascular grafts are limited by their restricted availability, early thrombosis, and requirement for anticoagulants. Objective: to evaluate different approaches to biocompatible vascular grafts. Methods: sixteen allogeneic acellularised arteries seeded with autologous endothelial cells were implanted to replace a segment of the common carotid artery (group I). Other animals received polydioxanone prostheses (group II: inner diameter, i.d. 4 mm, n=18; group III, i.d. 5 mm, n=20) or arterial autografts (group IV,n =8). Graft patency was evaluated by means of ultrasound duplex scanning, angiography and histology.Results: patency was 54% (71%), 17% (0%), 50% (50%), and 100% (100%) in group I, II, III, and IV after 1 week (4 months), respectively. Significant differences (p