Development of small-diameter vascular prostheses which release bioactive agents

A porous, distensible, tubular membrane which incorporates albumin and basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF), and is potentially utilizable as a bioactive small-diameter vascular prosthesis, was fabricated by a combined spraying, phase-inversion technique using a suspension of albumin and bFGF into a polyetherurethane-urea (Biomer®) solution in dimethylacetamide (DMA). Scanning electron microscopy showed a material with an open-cell trabecular structure and small particles of albumin and/or bFGF entrapped in the bulk of the polyurethane trabeculae. The material released albumin and bFGF at an approximately constant rate for at least 2 weeks. The bFGF initially incorporated in the polymer remained biologically active as shown by in-vitro proliferation of human endothelial cells.