Reduced platelet deposition on seeded versus unseeded segments of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts: Clinical observations after a 6-month follow-up

The concept of autologous endothelial cell seeding has proved successful in animal models with respect to decrease of graft thrombogenicity and increase in patency. In the present study, application of this method in humans was explored. In 23 patients, random halves of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts, used for lower limb arterial reconstructions, were seeded with endothelial cells at a seeding density of 3500 cells/cm2. These cells were derived from the saphenous vein by enzymatic harvesting. The other half was sham seeded with culture medium. Graft thrombogenicity was estimated by measuring platelet deposition on graft surface 1 and 6 months after surgery, with indium 111-labeled platelets and external gamma-camera imaging. Seeded graft segments accumulated significantly (p less than 0.03) fewer platelets at all imaging times. It is concluded that seeding of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular grafts in humans reduces graft surface thrombogenicity. The clinical implications of this remain to be demonstrated