Heparin coated decellularized xenogeneic small diameter vascular conduit for vascular repair with early luminal reendothelialization.

Small diameter vascular graft is a clinical need in cardiovascular disease (CAD) and peripheral atherosclerotic diseases (PAD). Autologous graft has limitations in availability and harvesting surgery. To make luminal surface modification with heparin coating in xenogeneic small diameter vascular graft. We constructed a conduit from decellularized human saphenous vein (HSV) matrices in small diameter vascular graft (< 0.8 mm diameter). Luminal surface modification was done with heparin coating for transplantation in the rat femoral artery. Biocompatibility of conduit was checked in Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) assay and in vivo. The blood flow rate in conduit grafts was measured, and immuno-histological analysis was performed. CAM assay and in vivo biocompatibility test showed cellular recruitment in the HSV scaffold. Heparin binding was achieved on the luminal surface. After three months of transplantation surgery neo-intimal layer was formed in the graft. The graft was patent for two weeks after surgery. There were no statistically differences between blood flow rate in graft (at proximal end 0.5 ± 0.01 m/s and at distal end 0.4 ± 0.01 m/s (n = 6)) and native artery (0.6 ± 0.1 m/second, (n = 3)). Biomarkers of endothelial cells, medial smooth muscle cells, and angiogenesis were observed in the transplanted graft. Our study demonstrates that xenogeneic decellularized vascular grafts with surface modification with heparin coating could be useful for the replacement of small diameter vessels.

Diagnostic role of 64-slice multidetector row CT scan and CT venogram in cases of cerebral venous thrombosis.

Retrospective review of patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) detected by 64-slice multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT). To evaluate the role of CT scan as the primary modality of imaging in suspected cases of CVT. Between October 2006 and September 2007, 53 patients, suspected to have CVT, underwent CT scan of the brain. Out of these, 33 patients were included in the study, who underwent non-contrast CT (NCCT), CT venous angiogram (MDCTA) and magnetic resonance venogram. Two blinded readers evaluated the NCCT and MDCTA. Final diagnosis was obtained after consensus reading of all the imaging by the two readers. Out of the total 33 patients, 20 patients were detected to have thrombosis of one or more of the cerebral venous sinuses or veins, at the concluding consensus reading. MDCTA together with NCCT could identify thrombosis in all of the 20 patients, i.e., 100% sensitivity and specificity. Sixty-four-slice MDCTA together with NCCT provided 100% sensitivity and specificity for the identification of CVT. It can be considered as a cost-effective and widely available, primary imaging modality in emergency situations.