Venous prosthetic valves. The first step toward an investigation in the canine model

Bioprosthetic valves were surgically placed in the inferior vena cava of four canines as a first step in the investigation of prosthetic valves for the treatment of nonobstructive chronic venous stasis. Valve patency and thrombus formation involving either the valve or the IVC was evaluated by serial follow-up inferior vena cavagrams in each canine. No thrombus occurred in any of the canines as observed at six months in two canines and eight months in two canines. The ultimate goal of this and other ongoing investigations is to develop a valvular prosthesis which may be placed into the venous system for the management of nonobstructive chronic venous stasis.