In Vivo Evaluation of Hydroxyapatite Nanocoating on Polyester Artificial Vascular Grafts and Possibility as Soft-Tissue Compatible Material

The efficacy of hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanocoating on polyester vascular grafts was investigated in animal experiments. The HAp nanocrystals were covalently bonded separately between hydroxyl groups on a nanocrystal and alkoxysilyl groups in γ-methacryloxypropyl triethoxysilane graft polymerized on a polyester substrate. Twelve HAp-coated polyester grafts and 10 control grafts of 20, 30, or 50 mm in length were implanted in canine common carotid arteries. Serious complications or occlusions were not observed in any of the dogs after implantation. A histologic evaluation was conducted by staining with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), the von Willebrand factor (vWf), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) around the inner lumen of the grafts. The number of inflammation cells and giant cells in the HAp-coated group was significantly lower than that in the group receiving noncoated grafts (p < 0.05).