Preservation of Muscular and Elastic Artery Distensibility After an Intercontinental Cryoconserved Exchange: Theoretical Advances in Arterial Homograft Generation and Utilization

Abstract

While the situation of tissue donation and transplantation differs between Latin American and European countries, a common problem is tissue deficiency. Hence, at present, there is a pressing need to generate alternatives so as to increase the possibilities of obtaining the requested materials. Consequently, it would be of significant interest to establish an intercontinental network for tissue exchange, to improve international cooperation, and to help patients that need tissue transplantation, and to evaluate the feasibility of using an intercontinental network for the exchange of cryopreserved arteries (cryografts), preserving the arterial distensibility and ensuring a reduced native artery-cryograft biomechanical mismatch. Distensibility was studied in ovine arteries divided into three groups: intact (in vivo tests, conscious animals), fresh control (in vitro tests immediately after the artery excision, Uruguay), and cryografts (in vitro tests of cryopreserved-transported-defrosted arteries, Spain). Histological studies were performed so as to analyze changes in the endothelial layer and elastic components. The comparison between fresh control and cryografts showed that neither the cryopreservation nor the exchange network impaired the distensibility, despite the expected histological changes found in the cryografts. The comparison between intact and cryografts showed that the cryografts would be capable of ensuring a reduced biomechanical mismatch. The cryopreservation and the intercontinental network designed for artery exchange preserved the arterial distensibility. It could be possible to transfer cryografts between Latin America and Europe to be used in cardiovascular surgeries and/or for tissue banking reprocessing, with basic biomechanical properties similar to those of the fresh and/or native arteries.

Quantitative Vascular Evaluation: From Laboratory Experiments to Point-of-Care Patient (Clinical Approach)

“…Finally, a solid experience has been additionally gained in the biomechanical and functional study of cryopreserved human and animal vascular homografts, with pre-implant and post-implant analyses regarding vascular wall mechanics, including the implementation of an intercontinental vascular tissue exchange system [ 18 - 21 ].…”

“…In addition, an intercontinental vascular tissue exchange system was designed, in collaboration with the Materials laboratory of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, in order to analyze if the properties of the arterial tissues could remain unaltered [ 21 ].…”

Quantitative Vascular Evaluation: From Laboratory Experiments to Point-of-Care Patient (Experimental Approach)

“…As showed by the comparison between fresh control and cryografts, neither the cryopreservation nor the exchange network impaired the distensibility, despite the expected histological changes found in the cryografts. As a result, cryografts would be capable of ensuring a reduced biomechanical mismatch [38].…”

Artificial Organs 2009: A Year in Review

“…Daniel Bia et al. (134) of the Republic University, Montevideo, Uruguay reported on the preservation of muscular and elastic artery distensibility after an intercontinental cryoconserved exchange. Ovine arteries were divided into three groups: intact (in vivo tests, conscious animals), fresh control (in vitro tests immediately after the artery excision, Uruguay), and cryografts (in vitro tests of cryopreserved‐transported‐defrosted arteries, Spain).…”