Exposure of Plasma Proteins on Dacron and ePTFE Vascular Graft Material in a Perfusion Model

Abstract

Objectives: to compare the exposure of plasma proteins adsorbed onto three vascular graft materials (polytetrafluoroethylene ePTFE and two modifications of polyethyleneterephthalate Dacron). Methods: surface exposure of fibronectin, vitronectin, thrombospondin, antithrombin III, IgG, high molecular-weight kininogen, fibrinogen, albumin and plasminogen was studied by incubation with radiolabelled antibodies in a perfusion model. Perfusion times with human plasma were 1, 4, 24 and 48 hours. Results: all proteins could be detected at 1, 4, 24 and 48 hours after the start of perfusion. Overall, the least amount of proteins adsorbed onto ePTFE. Conclusions: the low adsorption of proteins onto ePTFE may be one of the reasons for the lower incidence of infections reported with this material.