To solve the problem of vascular access failure, a novel semi‐degradable hybrid vascular graft, manufactured by electrospinning using silk fibroin and polyurethane (Silkothane), has been previously developed and characterized in vitro. This proof‐of‐concept animal study aims at evaluating the performances of Silkothane grafts in a sheep model of arteriovenous shunt, in terms of patency and short‐term remodeling. Nine Silkothane grafts are implanted between the common carotid artery and the external jugular vein of nine sheep, examined by palpation three times per week, by echo‐color Doppler every two weeks, and euthanized at 30, 60, and 90 days (N = 3 per group). At sacrifice, grafts are harvested and submitted for histopathology and/or scanning electron microcopy (SEM). No cases of graft‐related complications are recorded. Eight of nine sheep (89%) show 100% primary unassisted patency at the respective time of sacrifice (flow rate 1.76 ± 0.61 L min⁻¹, one case of surgery‐related thrombosis excluded). Histopathology and SEM analysis evidence signs of inflammation and pseudointima inside the graft lumen, especially at the venous anastomosis; however, endoluminal stenosis never impairs the functionality of the shunt and coverage by endothelial cells is observed. In this model, Silkothane grafts grant safety and 100% patency up to 90 days.

中文翻译：

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用于血液透析的新型混合丝素蛋白/聚氨酯动静脉移植物：在绵羊模型中的概念验证动物研究。

为了解决血管通路失败的问题，先前已经开发出了一种新型的半降解混合血管移植物，该移植物是通过使用丝素蛋白和聚氨酯（Silkothane）进行电纺丝制造的，并在体外进行了表征。这项概念验证的动物研究旨在评估通透性和短期重塑在绵羊动静脉分流模型中的丝索坦移植物的性能。在九只绵羊的颈总动脉和颈外静脉之间植入九个丝索坦移植物，每周触诊三次，每两周通过回声彩色多普勒检查一次，并在30、60和90天安乐死（N=每组3个）。处死时，收获移植物并进行组织病理学和/或扫描电子显微镜（SEM）。没有记录移植物相关并发症的病例。9只绵羊中有8只（89％）在各自处死时表现出100％的原发性无辅助通畅（流速1.76±0.61 L min ^-1，其中1例与手术有关的血栓形成不包括在内）。组织病理学和扫描电镜分析表明，在移植管腔内有炎症和假内膜的迹象，尤其是在静脉吻合处。然而，腔内狭窄从不损害分流器的功能，并且观察到内皮细胞的覆盖。在此模型中，Silkothane移植物可提供长达90天的安全性和100％通畅性。