In Vivo Study of Collagen-Impregnated Double Velour Prosthesis

Cross-linked bovine collagen treatment of double velour prosthesis has recently been introduced to help the graft ingrowth and neointima development in high-porosity graft without any need of preclotting. The authors have implanted (end-to-end) a total of 18 double velour 6-mm grafts (length 6 cm) in the infrarenal aorta of 18 dogs (15-25 kg). Nine prostheses were treated with collagen (DVC) and 9 were untreated (DV). Animals with both kinds of prosthesis were sacrificed 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, 30, 60, 120, and 360 days after the implant. Preclotting was required only in DV grafts even though both grafts had some porosity (1,900 cc/min/cm2). Organization of the neointima of both grafts was studied and compared by light and scanning electron microscopy. DVC grafts showed an earlier (3-10 days) deposition of neoendothelial cells and a significantly thicker neointima development within the first week from graft implant (p < 0.02). No statistical differences were noted in later neoendothelialization. Both grafts had a multifocal neoendothelial surface development around the neovasa vasorum in longer survival (days 21-360) whereas the ingrowth started from anastomoses in the early survival (days 3-14). In conclusion, DVC grafts, owing to the collagen treatment, do not require any preclotting despite their high porosity (equal to DV) and successfully accel erate short-term neointima development (> DV). © 1989, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.