Algin-Impregnated Vascular Graft II. Preliminary Animal Study

Microvel $^{\textregistered}$ double velour graft impregnated with a biodegradable algin was studied as a new vatscular graft. It is impervious to blood but still retains high porosity. This graft does not require preclotting during implantation and has good tissue ingrowth and biological healing properties. Two vascular grafts impregnated with algin (6mm in diameter) were implanted in the aorta of mongrel dogs without preclotting. Two identical grafts were preclctted and served as controls. The grafts were harvested 2 and 4 months postoperatively, and the healing pattern was examined by a light microscope after hemRtoxylineosin staining. It was observed that endothelial cells were incompletely covered on both algin-impregnated and control grafts after 2 month Implantation, while they were fully covered on both grafts after 4 month. There were no significant differences in subendothelial granulation tissue organization and fibrinoid material absorption between the algin-impregnated and control grafts. The algin-impregnated graft did not show any harmful effect on the healing and thus can be a new promising graft which is not necessary preclotting during the implantation.