title: Small-diameter vascular graft prostheses: current status.
abstract: In contrast to large-diameter vascular grafts (i.e. larger than 5 mm) which remain excellent for more than 10 years after implantation, small-diameter vascular grafts of both Dacron and Teflon occlude rapidly upon implantation. In this overview article, the strategies used to improve the patency of these small-diameter grafts, the current status in clinical trials, and further perspectives in the field of artificial vascular graft development are reviewed. It is concluded that, in view of recent developments in tissue engineering approaches, the future of small-diameter vascular prostheses looks promising.
authors.affiliation: Fac. Chemical Technology, Sect. Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials, and Inst. Biomedical Technology, Univ. Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Poot
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beugeling
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: van Aken
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feijen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials