Ethanol-lubricated expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene vascular grafts loaded with eggshell membrane extract and heparin for rapid endothelialization and anticoagulation

Small-diameter expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular grafts intended for bypass surgeries have high failure rates due to poor biocompatibility, thrombosis, and restenosis. In this study, eggshell membrane (ESM) extract and heparin were successfully embedded into ePTFE grafts via a new ethanol-water lubricant used for ePTFE fabrication. This novel ethanol-water lubricant not only evenly dispersed the ESM extract, but also dissolved the heparin sodium. The as-fabricated ePTFE grafts showed the classic node-fiber structure suitable for cell adhesion and migration. Furthermore, the embedded ESM extract and heparin improved the hydrophilicity and cytocompatibility, resulting in enhanced cell viability and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The ePTFE grafts loaded with heparin also showed promising anticoagulant properties based on the platelet adhesion test, thus making them conducive to long-term patency. This study overcomes traditional drawbacks of ePTFE fabrication, such as the toxicity of conventional lubricants, difficulties in drug incorporation, poor endothelialization, and lack of long-term patency. Meanwhile, the introduced ESM extract was composed of natural protein, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, which would further improve cell adhesion and proliferation on the ePTFE blood vessels.