Hemodynamic effects on endothelial cell monolayer detachment from vascular prostheses
H. P. Greisler, E. D. Endean, J. J. Klosak, J. Ellinger, S. C. Henderson, S. M. Pham, S. J. Durham, D. P. Showalter, J. Levine and H. S. Borovetz
Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood Ill 60153.
The establishment of an early blood-contacting endothelialized surface may
improve the graft-host relationship. This study evaluated the adherence of
indium 111-radiolabeled endothelial cells that were cultured to confluence
on fibronectin-treated polyester elastomer (Hytrel) grafts that were
perfused for two hours on a pulse duplicator apparatus under high- and
low-shear conditions. Perfusate samples were serially assayed for
radioactivity. After perfusion, grafts were sectioned into four segments
and assayed for retained radioactivity. All graft segments were hematoxylin
stained and examined under light microscopy for evaluation of cell density.
Excellent endothelial cell adherence (90%) was observed under both
hemodynamic conditions at 120 minutes, with most losses occurring within
the first 15 minutes. No differences were seen between high- and low-shear
conditions or proximal vs distal graft segments.
