Autologous vein stent-graft: Feasibility study

PURPOSE: To evaluate expandable stents healed into vein wall as autologous vein stent-grafts for endoluminal grafting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Balloon expandable stents were placed into external jugular veins of eight dogs. Stent and vein patency was followed by ultrasonography. Five weeks after stent placement, jugular veins with endothelialized stent were harvested? The autologous vein stent-grafts were divided into two groups. In group A, autologous vein stent-grafts (n = 3) were placed immediately into Baker solution for microscopic examination. In group B, autologous vein stent-grafts (n = 3) underwent mechanical manipulation; they were compressed, mounted on angioplasty balloon, pushed through a 9-F sheath and dilated. The autologous vein stent-graft endothelialization and changes after mechanical manipulation were evaluated by light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Stent placement was successful in seven dogs. One stent migrated into the pulmonary artery. One well placed stent was damaged by compression dressing and thrombosed. At 5 weeks, gross and microscopic examinations revealed the autologous vein stent-grafts were fully covered by a 0.115- ± 0.036-mm thick neointimal layer. Small wall thrombus was observed in one autologous vein stent-graft. Repeated manipulations did not result in any intimal damage or stent loosening in the autologous vein stent-grafts. CONCLUSION: Expandable stents healed into a vein have potential to be used as autologous vein stent- grafts for endoluminal grafting without risk of disruption during percutaneous transcatheter introduction.