Vascular prostheses performance assessment of vascular prosthesis failure

During 30 years of active participation in clinical vascular surgery and the screening and development of vascular prostheses, greater than 450 different fabrications have been evaluated. Vascular prosthesis retrieval and analysis during this period of time have been systematized, and greater than 40 different causes of failure of vascular prostheses have been classified into six classes: failure of diagnosis, error of implantation, patient contribution, complications of healing, fabrication failure, and infection. Such analyses allow for scientific evaluation, testing development, and the elaboration of performance standards so badly needed at present. Such a task is being organized by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Subcommittee F04.04 on Cardiovascular Materials and Devices and will require the active participation of all knowledgeable individuals.