Histologic findings in polyacrylamide-coated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) arterial grafts in the rat abdominal aorta

To improve cell attachment without inducing thrombogenesis, the authors coated the inner surface of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) prostheses (I.D.: 1 mm; length: 10 mm; wall thickness: 0.5 mm; fibril length: 30 mu m) with polyacrylamide (PAA), known to have a strong antithrombotic effect (PAA-PTFE). They implanted the prostheses into the abdominal aorta of rats, and retrieved them at intervals of up to 9 months. Graft healing was observed under light and scanning electron microscopy. All the inner surfaces of the grafts examined were barely covered with fibrin or platelets. The PAA-coated fibers had many projections, in contrast to the original PTFE prostheses. Neo-endothelium was observed to be directly attached to these structural fibers of the PAA-PTFE grafts. Restoration of the neointima was also observed in these vascular prostheses.