Acceleration of tissue ingrowth on materials implanted in the heart.

A technique for accelerating the development of tissue layers on fabrics implanted in the bloodstream has been explored in dogs and monkeys. Endothelial cell seeding of the fabrics with cells derived from the endocardial surface of the atrium together with an autogenous plasma coating was shown to accelerate organization of fabric-covered devices implanted in the bloodstream of adult primates. At the same time, this technique appears simple and rapid enough to be practical in a clinical setting. The results suggest that this approach might be useful in accelerating the development of tissue layers on prosthetic valves implanted in the heart.