The Hemashield Woven prosthesis in the thoracic aorta: a prospective computer tomography follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
Dacron prostheses in humans have been documented to present long-term fiber alterations, that may account for late graft dilatation. Late dilatation has been documented mainly in knitted prostheses, implanted in the abdominal and thoracic aorta. Dilatation of the collagen-impregnated Hemashield Woven prosthesis has not been studied prospectively in the thoracic aorta.


METHODS
Twenty patients were prospectively included. The intraoperative performance of the graft and mid-term clinical behaviour were studied. The graft distensibility was evaluated by postoperative, 1 and 3 yr computed tomographic diameter follow-up.


RESULTS
There were no hospital deaths. Two graft-unrelated deaths occurred at 3 yr. The graft performance was excellent or good for most aspects. No significant changes in CT diameter occurred throughout the 3 yr follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The collagen-impregnated Hemashield Woven prosthesis is considered safe in replacements of the thoracic aorta. Future evaluation should focus on the very long-term behaviour in young adults.
Vermeulen
F
F
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
Schepens
M
M
de Valois
J
J
Wijers
L
L
Kelder
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D003094:Collagen; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003094:Collagen