Acute thrombogenicity of collagen coating of dacron grafts: an experimental study in sheep

The early stages of platelet accumulation in two types of sealed interposition Dacron grafts implanted in the carotid arteries of sheep have been studied. One type was externally coated with collagen (Haemaguard) while the other experimental conduit had an additional inner lining of the same substance. 32P-labelled platelets were used to assess platelet accumulation and corrections for wall absorption were calculated. The activities in both types of grafts were highest proximally and decreased towards the distal anastomosis. The increases in the doubly-sealed grafts were larger than in those that had been single sealed, presumably reflecting activation of platelets in contact with collagen at the graft-wall and bloodstream interface. In addition, a significantly larger amount of thrombus was formed in the doubly-sealed grafts 4 h after reperfusion. It is reasonable to assume that increased acute thrombogenicity due to direct collagen-blood contact on graft surfaces is unfavourable to long term patency.