Stability of performances of vascular prostheses retrospective study of 22 cases of human implanted prostheses

• Published in: Journal of biomedical materials research 1988-07, Vol.22 (7), p.633-648
• Main Authors: Vinard, Elisabeth, Eloy, Rosy, Descotes, Jacques, Brudon, Jean Robert, Guidicelli, Henri, Magne, Jean Luc, Patra, Philippe, Berruet, Régis, Huc, Alain, Chauchard, Jacques
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biocompatible Materials; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Vessel Prosthesis - adverse effects; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; Humans; Inflammation; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Retrospective Studies; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Vascular surgery: aorta, extremities, vena cava. Surgery of the lymphatic vessels; X-Ray Diffraction
• ISSN: 0021-9304; 1097-4636
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.820220705

Twenty‐two cases of vascular graft failures (thrombosis, pseudoaneurysm, dilation, infection) were investigated by means of physicochemical, histological, and ultrastructural studies. A general decrease of mechanical resistance to stress of the prostheses was observed. Its magnitude ranged from 2 to 75% of the values of identical virgin prostheses and there was no relation with the duration of implantation. In addition to the breakage of yarn filaments (SEM), migration of fiber debris (histology) was observed in 7 cases. The structure of the polyester molecule had evolved after implantation. A decrease of crystallinity (x‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry) was noted. These observations raise the question of the established stability of vascular prostheses and emphasize the need for further investigations in human graft retrieval programs.