Abstract
Three kinds of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE) grafts (2μ, 4μ pore size and 30μ fibril length), 5cm. length with a 7 to 10mm. diameter were placed in the infrarenal vena cava in 37 dogs each with and without intravenous drip of a 12, 000 units of urokinase (UK). Early patency rate (less two weeks) in the 2μ pore size group without UK was 85.7%, But, in the 4μ pore size and 30μ fibril length group without UK was 60% and 50% respectively. Long tern patency (2 weeks to 10 months) was poor in all these groups. Early and long term patency in the 2μ pore size group with UK was obteined in five of six grafts. In the 4μ pore size and 30μ fibril length group with UK, however, early and long term patency rate decreased to 60% and 50%. It appears that a 2μ pore size EPTFE graft may be superior to other materials for inferior vana cava replacement with the use of UK.
