Abstract
In this paper, we studied time-dependent porosity changes of two kinds of low porous vascular prostheses; one is a newly developed ultrafine polyester fiber (UFPF) graft, Toray Graft (TG, water porosity: 100ml/min/cm2, 120mmHg), and the other a conventional graft, Cooley Low Porosity Woven Dacron Graft (CG, 50ml/min/cm2). Both grafts, 26mm in diameter and 5cm in length, were assembled into a model circuit filled with human heparinized blood (20% in hematocrit, donated from volunteers). Then, TG was compared with CG from the aspect of blood leakage through the interstices of the grafts. The volume of blood leakage were measured every minute for the first ten minutes and every 10 minute for the next thirty minutes. The results showed that TG exhibited significantly larger volume of leakage, 4.32±0.91 (ml/min/cm2, mean±SD, n=5), than CG. 1.61±0.48, for the first one minute (p<0.05). Two minute later, however, blood leakage in both groups decreased rapidly and no significant difference was noticed thereafter. It is concluded that TG could be applicable to vascular reconstruction even under extracorporeal circulation after suitable presealing treatment preventing the initial blood leakage.
