PTFE versus human umbilical vein in above knee femoro-popliteal bypass. Early results of a randomized clinical trial.

The results of a prospective randomized clinical trial comparing PTFE and HUV grafts in above knee femoro-popliteal reconstruction are presented. A total of 93 limbs were randomized, three patients died in the early postoperative period, leaving 90 (45 PTFE and 45 HUV bypasses) to be analysed. During 18 months of follow-up only 3 HUV grafts occluded in contrast to 15 occluded PTFE grafts. After one year patency rates for HUV were 90% versus 67% for PTFE grafts, after 18 months 86% and 63% respectively. From one year postoperatively onwards these results are statistically and significantly different. When an above knee femoro-popliteal reconstruction is performed and autologous vein is not available or purposely not used, HUV gives better results than PTFE and is the graft of choice.