Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene as dialysis access grafts: serial study of histology and fibrinolytic activity.

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) grafts were evaluated as hemodialysis access shunts. A serial study of cellular ingrowth and endothelialization was performed. The development of fibrinolytic activator was sequentially monitored and shown to be consistently higher in the Gore-Tex grafts than in either knitted or woven Dacron prostheses. Functional assessment by repeated needle puncture demonstrated that PTFE grafts were durable, had uniform patency (6 mm ID size) and showed no evidence of degeneration during the time limit of this study. Although these are favorable characteristics, further long-term evaluation of PTFE grafts is necessary before its role as a vascular prosthesis applicable to clinical practice, can be established.