Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) tubes (5 mm in diameter) were fabricated using an electro spinning method and used as a scaffold for artificial blood vessels through the hybridization of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) differentiated from canine bone marrow under previously reported conditions. The potential clinical applications of these artificial blood vessels were investigated using a canine model. From the results, the tubular-type PLGA scaffolds for artificial blood vessels showed good mechanical strength, and the duallayered blood vessels showed acceptable hybridization behavior with ECs and SMCs. The artificial blood vessels were implanted and substituted for an artery in an adult dog over a 3-week period. The hybridized blood vessels showed neointimal formation with good patency. However, the control vessel (unhybridized vessel) was occluded during the early stages of implantation. These results suggest a shortcut for the development of small diameter, tubular-type, nanofiber blood vessels using a biodegradable material (PLGA).

Background: Secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart defect in adults. Patients with ASDs at high risk of cardiovascular complications undergo either surgical repair or percutaneous device closure. Case Report: We report the case of an 85-year-old male with unusual recurrent cerebral infarctions. The patient has undergone repair of secundum ASD 12 years ago. Evaluation by transesophageal echocardiography revealed a mobile mass at the patch repair site in the left atrium. The mass was surgically removed due to recurrent stroke during the anticoagulation. Conclusion: This case emphasizes the importance of regular cardiac checkup and the need to consider cardioembolic source as being part of the etiology of stroke recurrence, even if the event occurs many years after intracardiac shunt closures.