Small-caliber heparin-coated ePTFE grafts reduce platelet deposition and neointimal hyperplasia in a baboon model

Abstract

Clinical relevance An autologous vein graft is the ideal bypass conduit in peripheral arterial reconstruction; however, many patients who undergo bypass grafting do not have adequate or available autologous vein graft. As a result surgeons often must rely on prosthetic grafts as an alternative conduit in arterial bypass procedures. Clinical outcomes with prosthetic grafts in peripheral arterial reconstruction are generally inferior to those with autologous vein bypass grafts, in part because of anastomotic neointimal hyperplasia. This study evaluated the effect of small-caliber heparin-coated expandable polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts in aortoiliac reconstruction in a baboon model. The study found that heparin-ciated ePTFE grafts resulted in less intimal hyperplasia and less platelet deposition after implantation, compared with noncoated control ePTFE grafts.