Cormatrix tubular grafts implanted as interposition conduits in ovine carotid artery - a quantitative histological study
Abstract
Two types of Cormatrix (CMX) tubular grafts, namely CMX4 and CMX6, were used and implanted as interposition grafts into ovine carotid arteries. After 180 days, the samples were explanted and sent for histological analysis.
The histological structure of both CMX4 and CMX6 materials was fully comparable before implantation and it also resulted into the same histological composition of the grafts after 180 days of remodeling. In contrast to native carotid artery, the CMX material before implantation was thinner, and contained less smooth muscle, less elastin, but more collagen.
Both types of CMX contained numerous remnants of fragmented cell nuclei. After implantation, the grafts expanded their thickness, were repopulated with living cells, invaded by newly formed vasa vasorum, but showed no signs of elastogenesis.
After 180 days, the contained vascular smooth cells muscle partially organized into discontinuous layers.