Microporous small-diameter PVDF-TrFE vascular grafts fabricated by a spray, phase-inversion technique

Microporous prostheses of 1.5 mm internal diameter were fabricated with a polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE)n co-polymer by the spray phase inversion technique. Some of the grafts were made piezoelectric by poling under a high electrical field. Overall, 24 poled grafts (P) and 24 unpoled grafts (UP) (15-22 mm in length) were implanted in the infrarenal aorta of 48 adult rats. Patency rates in P were 100% (8/8) at 2 days, 100% (8/8) at 2 weeks, 75% (6/8) at 6 months, and 92% total (22 of 24). Patency rates in UP were 100% (8/8) at 2 days, 63% (5/8) at 2 weeks, 100% (8/8) at 6 months, and 88% total (21 of 24). Thus there was no significant difference in patency between the two types of grafts. Both showed similar macroscopic and microscopic findings. At 2 days, fibrin deposition was somewhat heavier on the poled grafts, but no difference in surface platelet deposition could be detected. Endothelialization was observed from both anastomoses at 2 weeks and was almost complete at 6 months. The excellent biocompatibility of PVDF-TrFE and the microporous structure of the grafts were probably the dominant factors in success with these grafts. Although piezoelectric activity in excised cleaned poled prostheses remained significantly higher than that in the control UP, the charges developed may have been too small to exert a biologic effect, either because of insufficient dipole orientation or inadequate mechanical deformation.