title: Early thrombosis in bovine mesenteric vein grafts after infrainguinal reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autologous vein grafts are still the gold standard in infrainguinal arterial bypass grafting procedures. However, due to the unavailability of suitable autologous vein grafts, heterogeneous grafts are usually preferred. In the present study, surgical outcomes with bovine mesenteric vein grafts (ProCol, Hancock Jaffe Laboratories, USA) in the infrainguinal location in patients with ischemic leg infection or necrosis are presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients who underwent infrainguinal arterial reconstructions with ProCol grafts were evaluated retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Graft thrombosis was seen in two patients on postoperative day 1 (28.5%). The shortest and the longest patency durations were six and 18 months, respectively. Aneurysmal dilation developed postoperatively in two grafts (28.5%) after 12 and 18 months, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In cases where infection accompanies ischemia, and autologous veins are not available as graft materials, ProCol grafts can be used as temporary grafts in infrainguinal arterial reconstructions. The use of the graft is believed to be unacceptable for any indication other than infection due to its low short- and long-term patency rates and high risk of aneurysm formation in this location.
authors.affiliation: Cumhuriyet University School of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, 58140, Sivas;
authors.forename: Sinasi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manduz
authors.forename: Nurkay
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katrancioglu
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ozker
authors.forename: Kasim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dogan