Host response to autologous endothelial seeding

Diagram of animal model used shows bilateral end-to-side grafts of aorta to external iliac artery. Graft material was ePTFE with 6 mm internal diameter and internodal distances of 22 μm. Average graft length was 9.2 cm.

Specimen photograph shows three patterns of graft surface healing: A, gross thrombus; B, region of adherent fibrin, platelets, and red blood cells; C, a clear thrombus-free area.

Scanning electron micrograph from the midportion of a patent seeded graft shows a confluent monolayer of endothelial cells. (Original magnification × 1200.)

Scanning electron micrograph from the midportion of a patent unseeded control graft shows a confluent monolayer of endothelial cells, essentially identical to that seen in Fig. 3. (Original magnification × 1200.)

Transmission electron micrograph from the midportion of a patent seeded graft. Nucleus of an endothelial cell is visible under the overlying fibrin and red blood cells. (Original magnification × 7700.)

Transmission electron micrograph from the midportion of a patent seeded graft shows characteristic endothelial cell junction under overlying fibrin and red blood cells. (Original magnification × 5675.)

Scanning electron micrograph from the midportion of a patent seeded graft. Characteristic cobblestone pattern and nuclear bulge of the endothelial cell monolayer is visible, even under a thin layer of fibrin. (Original magnification × 600.)