Implantation of 20 cm long polyurethane vascular prostheses in the femoral artery of dogs. Preliminary results.

In a preliminary experiment externally reinforced polyurethane prostheses measuring 20 cm in length, with an inner diameter of 3 mm, were implanted in a loop in the femoral artery of six dogs. The dogs received 250 mg acetylsalicylic acid and 25 mg dipyridamol three times a day as anti-thrombocyte aggregation therapy starting three weeks prior to surgery. Anti-thrombocyte aggregation therapy was continued throughout the study. All prostheses remained patent 8, 9, 15 and 17 months after implantation. Patency was confirmed by palpation and Doppler ultrasound measurements. Preliminary results suggest that in clinically relevant situations, these prostheses could function well over prolonged periods of time.