Semi-finished blood vessels will reduce the risk of complications of hemodialysis
Humacyte specialists have developed a method for creating bioengineered blood vessels by seeding human aortic cells into cellular tubular structures made of biodegradable material. Within two months, the skeleton decomposes and a new blood vessel is formed instead of it, which is subjected to special treatment that minimizes the likelihood of developing an immune rejection reaction when it is implanted to the recipient.
Implantation of such vessels to monkeys and subsequent follow-up for six months demonstrated the stability of the implants, as well as the absence of complications common during implantation of artificial vessels, such as thrombosis, rejection of the implant and thickening of the walls of adjacent veins, which can lead to its blockage. Moreover, the implants withstood repeated punctures with needles for intravenous administration of drugs and retained their qualities when stored in a refrigerator for a year.
According to the head of the study, Dr. Shannon L. Dahl, who is one of the founders and vice president of Humacyte, eventually such vascular implants can be widely used in clinical practice, including during surgical operations on vessels, such as bypass surgery of blocked leg arteries or aorto-coronary bypass surgery, and also the restoration of traumatic injuries.
Another promising direction of using bioengineered vessels is implantation in patients with renal insufficiency who often undergo hemodialysis. This procedure involves the creation of a surgical connection (fistula) between the artery and vein of the hand.
However, in about half of the cases, this is unacceptable due to the poor condition of the patient's vessels. In such situations, artificial vascular implants made of polytetrafluoroethylene are usually used, which often leads to various complications and requires replacement of the implant within a year.
Based on the results of animal experiments, a multicenter clinical trial has already been launched in Europe, and the approval of the Food and Drug Administration has been obtained for conducting a similar study in the United States. The purpose of these studies will be to assess the safety and functionality of bioengineered vessels during their implantation in hemodialysis patients whose vascular condition excludes the possibility of creating a fistula.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the American Heart Association:
“Off-the-shelf” artificial blood vessels may reduce dialysis complications.
26.04.2013