Adventitial endothelial implants reduce matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression and increase luminal diameter in porcine arteriovenous grafts.

Objective: Vascular access dysfunction is a major problem in hemodialysis patients. Only 50% of arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) will remain patent 1 year after surgery. AVGs frequently develop stenoses and occlusions at the venous anastomoses in the venous outflow tract.

Reduction of vascular intimal-medial hyperplasia in polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous grafts via expression of an inhibitor of G protein signaling.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) arteriovenous (AV) grafts are performed routinely for vascular access. The limited life span of PTFE grafts is a major cause of morbidity. Graft failure is attributed to venous outflow tract vascular smooth muscle (VSM) hyperplasia, which is linked to heterotrimeric G protein signaling.