Comparative study of the thromboresistance of Dacron combined with various polyurethanes.

In vitro tests were carried out on Dacron samples differently knitted and on Dacron vascular prostheses coated with various urethanes. All the materials were put in contact with human platelet-rich plasma; the subsequent assay of three platelet released substances, i.e. beta-thromboglobulin, platelet factor 4 and thromboxane B2, as well as the quantification of platelet retention, were used to establish the degree of thrombogenicity of the material itself. In some cases Dacron-urethanes composites showed better thromboresistance than any other materials conventionally used in vascular surgery.