Haemodynamic effects of copolymerization with acrylic acid on woven Dacron arterial prostheses

A polyester/acrylic acid copolymer was compared with unmodified polyester as control. These were implanted as an aorto-aortic bypass graft, in 18 dogs, for periods ranging from 3 to 17 months. The copolymer had a smaller rise in circumferential elastance, a significantly slower pulse wave velocity, and a markedly lower longitudinal impedance. In addition, it had a more organised and significantly thinner pseudointima. We conclude, therefore, that copolymerization produced improved haemodynamic results and surface properties which appeared to discourage fibrin and platelet adherence. We anticipate that this type of prosthesis could be expected to produce better long term results than those polyester prostheses at present available.