CLINICAL PROBLEMS OF CURRENTLY AVAILABLE SYNTHETIC VASCULAR PROSTHESIS

Abstract

There are many problems in the cardiovascular surgical field about use of synthetic vascular grafts.
However, low porosity woven Dacron grafts are frequently used for aortic surgery, its fitness with vascular wall is worse and its anastomosis is more difficult than those of high porosity knitted Dacron graft because of the rigidity.
We are not satisfied that the late patency rate of small caliber synthetic grafts around 5 or 6mm of internal diameter does not reach the level of that of autosaphenous vein except that of Sauvage EXS knitted Dacron. Anastomotic intimal hyperplasia is one of the most important problems and is difficult to control.
Venous reconstructive surgery using EPTFE grafts is in an era of trial and error yet.
Several clinical problems about currently available synthetic vascular prosthesis are discussed.