Arteriovenous fistulas constructed with modified human umbilical cord vein graft.

Arteriovenous (AV) shunts were created using modified umbilical veins in baboons. The shunts consisted of veins removed from human umbilical cords tanned by either dialdehyde starch or glutaraldehyde 2% and surrounded with a polyester fiber mesh. Twelve fistulas were constructed employing the femoral or axillobrachial vessels. Six of the seven straight axillobrachial shunts remained patent for up to four months during the period of study. One of two loop fistulas and three femoral AV fistulas thrombosed because of kinking. There were no infections, mural disruptions, or aneurysm formations. Anglogram results and histologic studies confirmed the maintenance of graft function, morphologic appearance, and tolerance to repetitive punctures.