Improving cellularisation of tissue endgineered vascular grafts using functionalised peptide hydrogels

Tissue engineered vascular grafts have the potential to replace saphenous vein for multiple small diameter (<6mm) coronary artery bypass grafts, which offer relatively poor long term patency rates, often leading to repeat surgeries. Despite their potential, first generation vascular grafts have failed to provide superior patency rates when compared to saphenous vein grafts. One of main reasons for early graft failure is thrombus formation, which is attributed to an inadequate or absent luminal endothelial monolayer.