HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Masuda, H. Articles by Tanaka, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Masuda, H. Articles by Tanaka, S.

Ann Thorac Surg 1989;48:376-380
© 1989 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

---

Articles

Longevity of Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Grafts for Superior Vena Cava

Second Department of Surgery, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan

Accepted for publication April 19, 1989.

^* Address reprint requests to Dr Masuda, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359 Japan

We previously reported that the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft for superior vena cava (SVC) substitution presents the problems of flexion and kinking when the graft is long. We therefore replaced the SVC of dogs with two types of prosthetic substitutes, ePTFE (Gore-Tex) and spiral-supported ePTFE (Im/praflex), and evaluated the long-term patency of the prosthetic substitutes. Total replacement of the SVC was performed in 9 adult mongrel dogs. The substitutes were ePTFE and spiral-supported ePTFE in 5 and 4 dogs, respectively. The animals were killed about 3 years after replacement of the SVC, and the harvested specimens were histologically examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Evaluation of ePTFE revealed late occlusion in 1 of 5 dogs. The spiral-supported ePTFE showed patency in all dogs. In the group with ePTFE grafts, light microscopic examination revealed abnormalities of endothelial cells, granulation, and necrosis. There was no hyperplasia of the subendothelial connective tissue near the center. In the animals with spiral-supported ePTFE grafts, the subendothelial connective tissue showed favorable growth even in the center of the reconstructed site. There was no granulation in the spiral-supported ePTFE group. Scanning electron microscopic examination in the ePTFE group showed that endothelial cells were spindle-shaped and had an irregular surface. The spiral-supported ePTFE group showed an almost regular form of endothelial cells and no abnormalities except for the slightly spindled shape in the center. Therefore, we recommend that spiral-supported ePTFE should be used as an SVC substitute in clinical situations.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. Wells, M. Malas, C. J. Baker, S. M. Quardt, and M. L. Barr Depopulated vena caval homograft: a new venous conduit J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., August 1, 2003; 126(2): 498 - 503. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. H. Warren, W. J. Piccione Jr, and L. P. Faber Superior Vena Caval Reconstruction Using Autologous Pericardium Ann. Thorac. Surg., July 1, 1998; 66(1): 291 - 292. [Full Text] [PDF]