Clinical study of urokinase-bound fibrocollagenous tubes

Dacron-reinforced fibrocollagenous tubes (FCT) were synthesized from canine mongrels using the mandril-rod technique in order to develop a small diameter (i.e., 4 mm i.d.) vascular graft. They were rendered fibrinolytic by immobilizing urokinase on to the inner surface of the tubes. Urokinase-bound fibrocollagenous tubes (UK-FCT), control FCTs (i.e., no bound enzyme), Perloff grafts (Dr. Perloff, Department of Surgery, University Medical Center, Sidney Australia, has developed a mandril-derived collagenous tube from goats. Samples were implanted for comparative purposes.) and autogeneous saphenous veins, were interposed in the carotid or femoral artery in chronic studies involving 21 canine mongrels. On the basis of Doppler auscultation and palpation, the UK-FCTs were statistically more patent than other candidate prostheses. Fibrin degradation product (FDP) increased in the dogs' systemic circulation with a postoperative peak of 5 days. The host's increase in fibrinolytic activity was shown to be local to the anastamosis. A carotid arterial extracorporeal shunt was designed to evaluate acute patency. Results indicated a rapid thrombosis but no platlet or fibrin adherence to the graft surface was observed, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy.