Improving small-diameter vascular grafts: from the application of an endothelial cell lining to the construction of a tissue-engineered blood vessel

Ann Vasc Surg. 2005 May;19(3):448-56. doi: 10.1007/s10016-005-0026-0.

Abstract

One of the main reasons why vascular reconstruction with synthetic small-diameter grafts has limited success is the absence of endothelial cells. To improve the outcome of nonvenous vascular bypass surgery, cell seeding of vascular grafts and other tissue-engineering techniques were developed. In this article, an overview is given of the artificial blood vessel as an alternative for venous vascular bypass surgery.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Coagulation / physiology
  • Blood Vessels / transplantation*
  • Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Hyperplasia / physiopathology
  • Platelet Activation / physiology
  • Platelet Aggregation / physiology
  • Stem Cells
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Tunica Intima / pathology
  • Vascular Patency
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures*