title: The expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft. Three years' experience with 362 grafts.
abstract: A total of 362 polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts were implanted in patients as vascular substitutes in a variety of vascular reconstructive procedures. A total of 184 were used in femoropopliteal bypass operations. Cumulative patency rates showed 74% patency at the end of the first year of observation and 58% after two and three years. Seventeen grafts were used for femorotibial bypasses, with a cumulative patency rate of 40.4% after one year. Ninety-eight grafts were implanted in the upper or lower extremity to serve as vascular access for hemodialysis. For this group, the cumulative one-year patency rate was 83%. Sixty-three additional grafts were implanted in various other anatomic locations. Based on this experience, the PTFE graft seems to be a promising and versatile vascular prosthesis, although it should be used cautiously.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000601:surgery; D013977:Tibia / Q000098:blood supply
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene