FIG. 2.

Summary of morbidity and mortality data for TEVG implanted in the lamb model. TEVG were implanted as intrathoracic IVC interposition grafts and monitored over a 6-month time course. A total of 12 TEVG were implanted and divided into two equal groups (n=6/group). Group 1consisted of TEVG seeded using a closed filter-based system and group 2 consisted of TEVG seeded using an open density centrifugation-based method. (A) Survival curves: There was one surgical complication, which occurred in the open method group. It consisted of a neurological injury that resulted from a prolonged clamp time. Due to the severity of the neurological deficit, the animal required euthanasia. (B) Graft-related complications: There were two graft-related complications (critical stenosis), which developed in the open method group and also required euthanasia. No deaths or graft-related complications occurred in the TEVG assembled using the closed system. IVC, inferior vena cava.