Use of bovine heterografts in intravenous therapy

Thirteen bovine heterografts were placed in nine patients: three for renal dialysis, four for treatment of diabetes mellitus, and six for cancer chemotherapy. One graft became occluded on the night of operation. One graft caused dilation of distal veins sufficient for dialysis and was never used; this graft was occluded by a blow ten months later. Two grafts were thrombosed by poor puncture technic, one after three months' use and one after seven months' use. One graft became infected, then thrombosed, and was never used. The remaining eight have served as intravenous conduits for 6 to 19 months. Despite the problems we have encountered with these grafts, we believe that their use is the procedure of choice in cancer patients with limited life spans, even when such patients have available and satisfactory saphenous veins. The establishment of a bovine heterograft requires less time than establishment of a saphenous vein graft and requires only regional or local anesthesia--both advantages in seriously ill patients.