title: Bleeding through PTFE grafts.
abstract: There have been four cases in which there has been bleeding through PTFE grafts at the time of implantation. In each case the initial leaking through needle holes stopped completely within 5 mins. About 10 mins after the graft had been opened there appeared leaking through the interstices of the graft (without further bleeding at the needle holes). Protamine administration and topical application of haemostatic agents failed to arrest the process. In each case the bleeding gradually subsided over a period of 60 mins. In reviewing each of these cases no abnormality or unusual feature could be found to explain the bleeding encountered. Routine preoperative coagulation studies were normal. All grafts were handled according to manufacturer's recommendations. Portions of two of the grafts were analysed by light and electron microscopy and were in all ways similar to normal grafts. The etiology of this unusual complication has not been determined, but the process appears to be self-limited, stopping within an hour when it does occur.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013499:Surface Properties; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene