Developing an anticoagulant microfibrous vascular graft with enhanced kink resistance and self-sealing capabilities

For clinical treatment of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, the development of vascular grafts possessing both puncture resistance and anticoagulant properties remains crucial for arteriovenous fistula establishment. In this study, small-diameter vascular conduits were engineered through electrospinning of polyurethane (PU) microfibers, incorporating polyethylene coil reinforcement within the graft wall architecture to confer kink resistance. The microporous structure of the grafts demonstrated effective self-sealing capabilities following needle perforation. Additionally, heparin immobilization was implemented on the luminal surface to optimize thromboresistance. Large animal implantation studies revealed that the PU vascular grafts exhibited immediate puncture feasibility, superior puncture durability, and maintained excellent hemodynamic patency in vivo, demonstrating significant translational potential for clinical hemodialysis applications.