Performance of a new vascular xeno prosthesis

To date no prosthetic vascular prosthesis performs as well as the autologous saphenous vein in diameters of 6 mm and less. The purpose of this study was to compare the in vitro and in vivo performance of a new glutaraldehyde stabilized, narrow diameter (4 mm), vascular prosthesis fashioned from bovine ureters (Flonova) with the saphenous vein and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) prostheses. The methods used for the comparative in vitro analysis of the bovine ureter and saphenous vein were modifications of tests recommended by the American National Standards for Vascular Prostheses. Blood compatibility was evaluated by measuring platelet consumption in an artificial circulation, and heparin uptake was quantified using tritiated heparin. The results indicate that the bovine ureter grafts have an adequate degree of mural integrity and hemocompatible properties comparable to saphenous vein. The in vivo patency in a canine bilateral femoral interposition model was 62.5% (10/16) for the bovine ureters and 43.75% (7/16) for PTFE. Bovine ureter grafts appear to have an excellent potential for use in narrow diameter peripheral and coronary arterial bypass procedures and warrant further investigation.