Extensive work by many groups has focused on searching for ideal substitute materials for cardiovascular applications for vascular bypass or replacement of obstructed blood vessels due to diseases or trauma during the last half-century. While large (>10mm ID) and medium (6-10 mm ID) -diameter vascular grafts are already commercially available (expanded poly(tetrafluoro ethylene) (ePTFE) or poly(ethylene terephthalaate) (PET), better known as Dacron)1, considerable challenges remain in the development and application of small diameter (< 6mm ID) vascular grafts due to its high failure rates owing to a thrombosis, chronic anastomotic, and intimal hyperplasia2. Thus, it is imperative to find a solution targeted to the fabrication of small-diameter vascular grafts.
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