THE EFFECT OF ANTIPLATELET AGENTS FOR HEALING PROCESS OF A SMALL CALIBER CONNECTIVE TISSUE TUBE GRAFT

Abstract

An autologous connective tissue tube graft (ACTTG) with a small caliber would be an ideal vascular substitute, if it was given a complete antithrombogenicity in the early stage of the implantation. In this study, to give steadier antithrombogenicity to ACTTG, higher concentration of heparin was used for in situ heparinization of the grafts was attained with a patency rate of 63% at one month, when small dose of antiplatelet agents was used. However, more intensive antiplatelet therapy resulted in impairment of graft healing, causing hematoma in the grafts.