Neointimal hyperplasia on a cell-seeded polytetrafluoroethylene graft is promoted by transfer of tissue plasminogen activator gene and inhibited by transfer of nitric oxide synthase gene

Vascular prosthetic grafts are vulnerable to thrombosis and restenosis resulting in high incidence of limb loss when autogenous vein is not available. Modification of vascular prosthetic grafts to more closely mimic natural conditions may protect against clot formation and may have an immediate and prolonged effect on vascular surgical results. This study examined the patency of a prosthetic vascular graft by seeding the grafts with genetically engineered cells to prevent thrombosis and restenosis.