Pilot Study of the Efficacy of Extracellular Matrix Arterial Interposition Grafts in a Sheep (Ovis aries) Model
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare early patency and histology of Cormatrix small intestine submucosa interposition grafts in carotid arteries in sheep. Methods: Three crossbred sheep were anesthetized, instrumented, and had 10 cm interposition grafts placed in both carotid arteries via a midline neck incision. The grafts were created with CorMatrix extracellular matrix. The wounds were closed and the animals recovered. Lovenox was administered starting post-operatively daily for the remainder of the experiment. Duplex ultrasonography was conducted at 1 and 6 weeks, followed by thorough necropsy and histologic evaluation of the grafts using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's Trichrome stains. Results: Following surgery, two animals had uncomplicated courses without clinical evidence of thrombosis or wound complication. The third animal succumbed from graft failure secondary to a postoperative seroma and wound infection. Duplex examinations revealed patent fistulas with normal vessel diameters, flow velocities, and spectral patterns. Upon post mortem, there was a lack of perivascular inflammation and tissue reaction. Histologic assessment confirmed patency without evidence of thrombosis or inflammatory infiltration. The ECM was well populated with cells and near complete luminal endothelial cell coverage was present by four weeks. Conclusion: In this pilot study, the Cormatrix extracellular matrix performed well in a sheep carotid interposition graft model.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 18, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA608132
Entities
People
- Darren Danielson
- Hilary Gallogly
- Leigh Griffiths
- Lucas Neff
- Sterling Humphrey
- W. D. Boyd
Organizations
- David Grant USAF Medical Center