Seeding with endothelial cells derived from the microvessels of the omentum and from the jugular vein: a comparative study.

Segments of an experimental polytetrafluoroethylene graft (9 cm long, 6 mm I.D.) of high porosity were implanted in 25 dogs as aortic interposition grafts. Nine grafts were seeded with a mean of 7 x 10(5) viable endothelial cells (ECs) derived from the jugular vein (group A) and eight were seeded with a mean of 7 x 10(5) viable ECs derived from the microvessels of the omentum (group B). Eight grafts were not seeded and they served as controls (group C). Animals were put to death 5 weeks after graft implantation. The thrombus-free area was measured at 81% +/- 10% in group A, 65% +/- 22% in group B, and 25% +/- 13% in group C (p less than 0.05, group A vs group B; p less than 0.05, group B vs group C). The thickness of the subendothelial layer was 151 +/- 60 microns in group A, 280 +/- 60 microns in group B, and 100 +/- 75 microns in group C (p less than 0.001, group B vs groups A and C). The production of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in the presence of sodium arachidonate was higher in seeded grafts (p less than 0.05). Omentally derived microvessel ECs can be seeded in vascular grafts; refinements in the technique of EC procurement are required to minimize contamination and to obtain ECs with more effective biologic activity.