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Goretex and autogenous vein in the canine model
Insights
Autogenous jugular veins showed superior patency (87%) compared to Goretex grafts (50%) in canine femoral artery bypass. Goretex grafts experienced more technical failures but less neointimal hyperplasia.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Biomaterials Science
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Vascular grafts are crucial for bypass surgery.
- Evaluating synthetic graft performance against autogenous options is essential.
- Canine models provide a platform for preclinical vascular graft assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the surgical handling, patency, and healing of Goretex grafts versus autogenous jugular veins in canine femoral artery bypass.
- To assess the failure modes of Goretex grafts in this model.
Main Methods:
- Thirty 6 mm internal diameter Goretex grafts were implanted as end-to-side bypasses in canine femoral arteries.
- Autogenous jugular veins were used as controls and anastomosed into the contralateral femoral arteries.
- Graft patency and healing were monitored over a 16-week period.
Main Results:
- Autogenous veins exhibited easier handling and an 87% patency rate.
- Goretex grafts achieved a 50% patency rate over 16 weeks.
- Goretex graft failures were attributed to technical errors (9), kinks (5), infection (3), and neointimal hyperplasia (2).
Conclusions:
- Autogenous jugular veins demonstrated superior patency and handling characteristics.
- Goretex grafts showed a higher rate of technical failures but the lowest incidence of neointimal fibrous hyperplasia compared to previously tested synthetic grafts in this model.
Abstract:
Thirty Goretex grafts of 6 mm internal diameter, 30 mu fibril length, 30 mg/cc density and 0.5 mm wall thickness were placed as end-to-side bypass grafts in canine femoral arteries. Handling characteristics, patency and healing properties were compared with autogenous jugular veins which were anastomosed into the opposing femoral arteries. Autogenous veins were easier to anastomose and they showed a patency rate of 87% over a 16 week observation period. The Goretex grafts had a 50% patency rate during the same period. Goretex grafts failed because of technical errors (9), graft kinks (5), infection (3) and neointimal fibrous hyperplasia (2). This canine model has previously been used to evaluate all currently available biologic and synthetic vascular grafts. Goretex grafts demonstrated the highest rate of technical failures, but the lowest incidence of neointimal fibrous hyperplasia when compared to other grafts previously tested in this model.