Improved patency and reduced intimal hyperplasia in PTFE grafts with luminal immobilized heparin compared with standard PTFE grafts at six months in a sheep model.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the performance of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts with luminal coating of immobilized heparin to that of standard PTFE grafts at six months.


METHODS
Twenty-eight common carotid arteries in fourteen sheep were bypassed with heparin-coated PTFE grafts (6 mm diameter, 6 cm length) on one side and standard PTFE grafts on the other. The grafts were explanted after six months. The thickness of intimal hyperplasia (IH) in open grafts was measured with histomorphometrical methods.


RESULTS
Two of 14 heparinized PTFE grafts and nine of 14 grafts in the control PTFE-group were occluded at explantation (P=0.006). Six-month patency rates for heparinized PTFE grafts and for standard PTFE grafts were 86% and 36%, respectively. Mean graft anastomotic IH thickness in open grafts were 0.074 mm for heparinized PTFE grafts and 0.259 mm for PTFE-grafts (P=0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
PTFE grafts with luminal coating containing immobilized heparin had significantly better patency and recruited less intimal hyperplasia than standard PTFE grafts at six months.
Surgical Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. gustav.pedersen@helse-bergen.no
G
G
Pedersen
E
E
Laxdal
V
V
Ellensen
T
T
Jonung
E
E
Mattsson
D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D005260:Female; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006965:Hyperplasia; D023421:Models, Animal; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012756:Sheep; D013997:Time Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D014654:Vascular Patency
D000925:Anticoagulants; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D006493:Heparin