1-Year Patency of Biorestorative Polymeric Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts in an Ovine Model.

Many attempts have been made to inhibit or counteract saphenous vein graft (SVG) failure modes; however, only external support for SVGs has gained momentum in clinical utility. This study revealed the feasibility of implantation, and showed good patency out to 12 months of the novel biorestorative graft, in a challenging ovine coronary artery bypass graft model. This finding could trigger the first-in-man trial of using the novel material instead of SVG. We believe that, eventually, this novel biorestorative bypass graft can be one of the options for coronary artery bypass graft patients who have difficulty harvesting SVG.

An optical coherence tomography and endothelial shear stress study of a novel bioresorbable bypass graft.

Endothelial shear stress (ESS) plays a key role in the clinical outcomes in native and stented segments; however, their implications in bypass grafts and especially in a synthetic biorestorative coronary artery bypass graft are yet unclear. This report aims to examine the interplay between ESS and the morphological alterations of a biorestorative coronary bypass graft in an animal model. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation derived from the fusion of angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging was used to reconstruct data on the luminal anatomy of a bioresorbable coronary bypass graft with an endoluminal "flap" identified during OCT acquisition. The "flap" compromised the smooth lumen surface and considerably disturbed the local flow, leading to abnormally low ESS and high oscillatory shear stress (OSI) in the vicinity of the "flap". In the presence of the catheter, the flow is more stable (median OSI 0.02384 versus 0.02635, p < 0.0001; maximum OSI 0.4612 versus 0.4837). Conversely, OSI increased as the catheter was withdrawn which can potentially cause back-and-forth motions of the "flap", triggering tissue fatigue failure. CFD analysis in this report provided sophisticated physiological information that complements the anatomic assessment from imaging enabling a complete understanding of biorestorative graft pathophysiology.

One-year performance of biorestorative polymeric coronary bypass grafts in an ovine model: correlation between early biomechanics and late serial Quantitative Flow Ratio.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the impact of mechanical factors at baseline on the patency of a restorative conduit for coronary bypass grafts in an ovine model at serial follow-up up to 1 year. METHODS: The analyses of 4 mechanical factors [i.e. bending angle, superficial wall strain and minimum and maximum endothelial shear stress (ESS)] were performed in 3D graft models reconstructed on baseline (1-month) angiograms frame by frame by a core laboratory blinded for the late follow-up. The late patency was documented by Quantitative Flow Ratio (QFR®) that reflects the physiological status of the graft. The correlation between 4 mechanical factors and segmental QFR (△QFR) were analysed on 10 equal-length segments of each graft. RESULTS: A total of 69 graft geometries of 7 animals were performed in the study. The highest △QFR at 12 months was colocalized in segments of the grafts with the largest bending angles at baseline. Higher △QFR at 3 months were both at the anastomotic ends and were colocalized with the highest superficial wall strain at baseline. High baseline ESS was topographically associated with higher △QFR at the latest follow-up. Correlations of minimum and maximum ESS with △QFR at 3 months were the strongest among these parameters (ρ = 0.30, 95% CI [-0.05 to 0.56] and ρ = 0.27, 95% CI [-0.05 to 0.54], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limited number of grafts, this study suggests an association between early abnormal mechanical factors and late flow metrics of the grafts. The understanding of the mechanical characteristics could help to improve this novel conduit.

Tissue response, macrophage phenotype, and intrinsic calcification induced by cardiovascular biomaterials: Can clinical regenerative potential be predicted in a rat subcutaneous implant model?

The host immune response to an implanted biomaterial, particularly the phenotype of infiltrating macrophages, is a key determinant of biocompatibility and downstream remodeling outcome. The present study used a subcutaneous rat model to compare the tissue response, including macrophage phenotype, remodeling potential, and calcification propensity of a biologic scaffold composed of glutaraldehyde-fixed bovine pericardium (GF-BP), the standard of care for heart valve replacement, with those of an electrospun polycarbonate-based supramolecular polymer scaffold (ePC-UPy), urinary bladder extracellular matrix (UBM-ECM), and a polypropylene mesh (PP). The ePC-UPy and UBM-ECM materials induced infiltration of mononuclear cells throughout the thickness of the scaffold within 2 days and neovascularization at 14 days. GF-BP and PP elicited a balance of pro-inflammatory (M1-like) and anti-inflammatory (M2-like) macrophages, while UBM-ECM and ePC-UPy supported a dominant M2-like macrophage phenotype at all timepoints. Relative to GF-BP, ePC-UPy was markedly less susceptible to calcification for the 180 day duration of the study. UBM-ECM induced an archetypical constructive remodeling response dominated by M2-like macrophages and the PP caused a typical foreign body reaction dominated by M1-like macrophages. The results of this study highlight the divergent macrophage and host remodeling response to biomaterials with distinct physical and chemical properties and suggest that the rat subcutaneous implantation model can be used to predict in vivo biocompatibility and regenerative potential for clinical application of cardiovascular biomaterials.

Chronic haemodynamic performance of a biorestorative transcatheter heart valve in an ovine model.

BACKGROUND: The Xeltis biorestorative transcatheter heart valve (BTHV) leaflets are made from an electrospun bioabsorbable supramolecular polycarbonate-urethane and are mounted on a self-expanding nitinol frame. The acute haemodynamic performance of this BTHV was favourable. AIMS: We sought to demonstrate the preclinical feasibility of a novel BTHV by evaluating the haemodynamic performances of five pilot valve designs up to 12 months in a chronic ovine model. METHODS: Five design iterations (A, B, B', C, and D) of the BTHV were transapically implanted in 46 sheep; chronic data were available in 39 animals. Assessments were performed at implantation, 3, 6, and 12 months including quantitative aortography, echocardiography, and histology. RESULTS: At 12 months, greater than or equal to moderate AR on echocardiography was seen in 0%, 100%, 33.3%, 100%, and 0% in the iterations A, B, B', C, and D, respectively. Furthermore, transprosthetic mean gradients on echocardiography were 10.0±2.8 mmHg, 19.0±1.0 mmHg, 8.0±1.7 mmHg, 26.8±2.4 mmHg, and 11.2±4.1 mmHg, and effective orifice area was 0.7±0.3 cm2, 1.1±0.3 cm2, 1.5±1.0 cm2, 1.5±0.6 cm2, and 1.0±0.4 cm2 in the iterations A, B, B', C, and D, respectively. On pathological evaluation, the iteration D demonstrated generally intact leaflets and advanced tissue coverage, while different degrees of structural deterioration were observed in the other design iterations. CONCLUSIONS: Several leaflet material iterations were compared for the potential to demonstrate endogenous tissue restoration in an aortic valve in vivo. The most promising iteration showed intact leaflets and acceptable haemodynamic performance at 12 months, illustrating the potential of the BTHV.

Functional remodeling of an electrospun polydimethylsiloxane-based polyether urethane external vein graft support device in an ovine model.

Saphenous vein graft (SVG) failure rates are unacceptably high, and external mechanical support may improve patency. We studied the histologic remodeling of a conformal, electrospun, polydimethylsiloxane-based polyether urethane external support device for SVGs and evaluated graft structural evolution in adult sheep to 2 years. All sheep (N = 19) survived to their intended timepoints, and angiography showed device-treated SVG geometric stability over time (30, 90, 180, 365, or 730 days), with an aggregated graft patency rate of 92%. There was minimal inflammation associated with the device material at all timepoints. By 180 days, treated SVG remodeling was characterized by minimal/nonprogressive intimal hyperplasia; polymer fragmentation and integration; as well as the development of a neointima, and a confluent endothelium. By 1-year, the graft developed a media-like layer by remodeling the neointima, and elastic fibers formed well-defined structures that subtended the neo-medial layer of the remodeled SVG. Immunohistochemistry showed that this neo-media was populated with smooth muscle cells, and the intima was lined with endothelial cells. These data suggest that treated SVGs were structurally remodeled by 180 days, and developed arterial-like features by 1 year, which continued to mature to 2 years. Device-treated SVGs remodeled into arterial-like conduits with stable long-term performance as arterial grafts in adult sheep.

Ovine femoral artery bypass grafting using saphenous vein: a new model.

BACKGROUND: Saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) are frequently used for multi-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting and peripheral arterial bypasses; however, the estimated 40% failure rate within the first 5 y due to intimal hyperplasia (IH) and the subsequent failure rate of 2%-4% per year pose a significant clinical problem. Here, we report a surgical model in sheep intended to study IH development in SVGs, which can also be used for the evaluation of potential alternative treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Autologous bilateral SVGs were implanted as femoral artery interposition grafts using end-to-side anastomoses in adult sheep (n = 23), which were survived for 30 (n = 6), 90 (n = 7), 180 (n = 7), or 365 (n = 3) days. Post-implant, mid-term, and pretermination angiograms were quantified, and harvested SVGs were evaluated using quantitative histomorphometry. RESULTS: We describe a peripheral arterial surgical technique that models the progression of SVG pathology. Angiographic analysis showed a progressive dilation of SVGs leading to worsening diametrical matching to the target artery and reduced blood flow; and histomorphometry data showed an increase in IH over time. Multivariable regression analysis suggested that statistically significant (P < 0.05) time-dependent relationships exist between SVG dilation and both reduction in blood flow and IH development. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral SVGs implanted onto the femoral arteries of sheep produced, controlled and consistent angiographic and histomorphometric results for which direct correlations could be made. This preclinical investigation model can be used as a robust tool to evaluate therapies intended for cardiovascular pathologies such as occlusive IH in SVGs.

A bilayered elastomeric scaffold for tissue engineering of small diameter vascular grafts.

A major barrier to the development of a clinically useful small diameter tissue engineered vascular graft (TEVG) is the scaffold component. Scaffold requirements include matching the mechanical and structural properties with those of native vessels and optimizing the microenvironment to foster cell integration, adhesion and growth. We have developed a small diameter, bilayered, biodegradable, elastomeric scaffold based on a synthetic, biodegradable elastomer. The scaffold incorporates a highly porous inner layer, allowing cell integration and growth, and an external, fibrous reinforcing layer deposited by electrospinning. Scaffold morphology and mechanical properties were assessed, quantified and compared with those of native vessels. Scaffolds were then seeded with adult stem cells using a rotational vacuum seeding device to obtain a TEVG, cultured under dynamic conditions for 7 days and evaluated for cellularity. The scaffold showed firm integration of the two polymeric layers with no delamination. Mechanical properties were physiologically consistent, showing anisotropy, an elastic modulus (1.4 + or - 0.4 MPa) and an ultimate tensile stress (8.3 + or - 1.7 MPa) comparable with native vessels. The compliance and suture retention forces were 4.6 + or - 0.5 x 10(-4) mmHg(-1) and 3.4 + or - 0.3N, respectively. Seeding resulted in a rapid, uniform, bulk integration of cells, with a seeding efficiency of 92 + or - 1%. The scaffolds maintained a high level of cellular density throughout dynamic culture. This approach, combining artery-like mechanical properties and a rapid and efficient cellularization, might contribute to the future clinical translation of TEVGs.

Design and subspace system identification of an ex vivo vascular perfusion system.

Numerical algorithms for subspace system identification (N4SID) are a powerful tool for generating the state space (SS) representation of any system. The purpose of this work was to use N4SID to generate SS models of the flowrate and pressure generation within an ex vivo vascular perfusion system (EVPS). Accurate SS models were generated and converted to transfer functions (TFs) to be used for proportional integral and derivative (PID) controller design. By prescribing the pressure and flowrate inputs to the pumping components within the EVPS and measuring the resulting pressure and flowrate in the system,_four TFs were estimated;_two for a flowrate controller (H(RP,f) and H(RPP,f)) and two for a pressure controller (H(RP,p) and H(RPP,p)). In each controller,_one TF represents a roller pump (H(RP,f) and H(RP,p)),_and the other represents a roller pump and piston in series (H(RPP,f) and H(RPP,p)). Experiments to generate the four TFs were repeated five times (N=5) from which average TFs were calculated. The average model fits, computed as the percentage of the output variation (to_the_prescribed_inputs) reproduced by the model, were 94.93+/-1.05% for H(RP,p), 81.29+/-0.20% for H(RPP,p), 94.45+/-0.73% for H(RP,f), and 77.12+/-0.36% for H(RPP,f). The simulated step, impulse, and frequency responses indicate that the EVPS is a stable system and can respond to signals containing power of up to 70_Hz.

Control of circumferential wall stress and luminal shear stress within intact vascular segments perfused ex vivo.

Proportional, integral, and derivative (PID) controllers have proven to be robust in controlling many applications, and remain the most widely used control system architecture. The purpose of this work was to use this architecture for designing and tuning two PID controllers. The first was used to control the physiologic arterial circumferential wall stress (CWS) and the second to control the physiologic arterial shear stress (SS) imposed on intact vascular segments that were implanted into an ex vivo vascular perfusion system (EVPS). In order to most accurately control the stresses imposed onto vascular segments perfused ex vivo, analytical models were derived to calculate the CWS and SS. The mid-vein-wall CWS was calculated using the classical Lame solution for thick-walled cylinders in combination with the intraluminal pressure and outer diameter measurements. Similarly, the SS was calculated using the Hagen-Poiseuille equation in combination with the flow rate and outer diameter measurements. Performance of each controller was assessed by calculating the root mean square of the error (RMSE) between the desired and measured process variables. The performance experiments were repeated ten times (N=10) and an average RMSE was reported for each controller. RMSE standard deviations were calculated to demonstrate the reproducibility of the results. Sterile methods were utilized for making blood gas and temperature measurements in order to maintain physiologic levels within the EVPS. Physiologic blood gases (pH, pO(2), and pCO(2)) and temperature within the EVPS were very stable and controlled manually. Blood gas and temperature levels were recorded hourly for several (N=9) 24 h perfusion experiments. RMSE values for CWS control (0.427+/-0.027 KPa) indicated that the system was able to generate a physiologic CWS wave form within 0.5% error of the peak desired CWS over each cardiac cycle. RMSE values for SS control (0.005+/-0.0007 dynescm(2)) indicated that the system was able to generate a physiologic SS wave form within 0.3% error of the peak desired SS over each cardiac cycle. Physiologic pH, pO(2), pCO(2), and temperature levels were precisely maintained within the EVPS. The built-in capabilities and overall performance of the EVPS described in this study provide us with a novel tool for measuring molecular responses of intact vascular segments exposed to precisely simulated arterial biomechanical conditions.

Transient elastic support for vein grafts using a constricting microfibrillar polymer wrap.

Arterial vein grafts (AVGs) often fail due to intimal hyperplasia, thrombosis, or accelerated atherosclerosis. Various approaches have been proposed to address AVG failure, including delivery of temporary mechanical support, many of which could be facilitated by perivascular placement of a biodegradable polymer wrap. The purpose of this work was to demonstrate that a polymer wrap can be applied to vein segments without compromising viability/function, and to demonstrate one potential application, i.e., gradually imposing the mid-wall circumferential wall stress (CWS) in wrapped veins exposed to arterial levels of pressure. Poly(ester urethane)urea, collagen, and elastin were combined in solution, and then electrospun onto freshly-excised porcine internal jugular vein segments. Tissue viability was assessed via Live/Dead staining for necrosis, and vasomotor challenge with epinephrine and sodium nitroprusside for functionality. Wrapped vein segments were also perfused for 24h within an ex vivo vascular perfusion system under arterial conditions (pressure = 120/80 mmHg; flow = 100 mL/min), and CWS was calculated every hour. Our results showed that the electrospinning process had no deleterious effects on tissue viability, and that the mid-wall CWS vs. time profile could be dictated through the composition and degradation of the electrospun wrap. This may have important clinical applications by enabling the engineering of an improved AVG.

Crosslinking of collagen gels by transglutaminase.

Collagen is commonly used as a tissue-engineering scaffold, yet its in vivo applications are limited by a deficiency in mechanical strength. The purpose of this work was to explore the utilization of a unique enzymatic crosslinking procedure aimed at improving the mechanical properties of collagen-based scaffold materials. Type I bovine collagen gel was crosslinked by transglutaminase, which selectively mediates the chemical reaction between glutamine and lysine residues on adjacent protein fibers, thus providing covalent amide bonds that serve to reinforce the three-dimensional matrix. The degree of crosslinking was verified by thermal analysis and amine group content. The denaturation temperature of crosslinked collagen reached a maximum of 66 +/- 1 degrees C. The chemical reaction was confirmed to be noncytotoxic with respect to bone marrow stromal cells acquired from New Zealand White rabbits. Tube-shaped cellular constructs fashioned from crosslinked collagen and bone marrow stromal cells were found to have burst pressures significantly higher than their noncrosslinked analogs (71 +/- 4 mmHg vs. 46 +/- 3 mmHg; p < 0.01). Thus, the transglutaminase mediated reaction served to successfully strengthen collagen gels while remaining benign toward cells.