Transient biocompatible scaffolds for regeneration of the arterial wall

The elements of a normal arterial wall may be reorganized through natural repair processes if the scaffold of a vascular graft is made of a slowly disappearing, biocompatible mesh. The challenge is to design tubular fabrics which at the time of implantation display the mechanical strength, suturability and limited thrombogenicity of the standard arterial grafts, but lead, after the disappearance of the synthetic polymers, to the formation of a regenerated tissue structure of appropriate strength and hemocompatibility, without at any time allowing the rupture of the arterial wall. Standard dimension aortic and carotid grafts made entirely of bioresorbable polymers function effectively in canine, bovine and porcine models, to a point where the mechanical and biological properties of the conduit are due entirely to newly formed tissues, which can adapt to the growth of the recipient.