Abstract
Purpose
There are many reports of patency periods, failure rates, thrombosis and infection attacks connected with vascular grafts. In this article, the results of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Bovine grafts were compared in a forty-four month period.
Methods
61 vascular grafts (29 PTFE, 32 bovine) were placed in 49 patients. The grafts were compared in different ways, such as survival, complication rates and placement area using life survey analysis.
Results
Mean survival time was 17 mo (SE ± 2.8) for PTFE grafts and 11 mo (SE ± 1.1) for bovine grafts. A failure rate of 34% due only to graft complications were found in PTFE and 25% in bovine grafts. All graft complications were seen in the first year. Comparison of the cumulative survival rates of the groups were found to be insignificant during the study period and the first year (p>0.05). Regardless of the type, there was no significant difference between the grafts placed in the forearm and the grafts in the thigh (p>0.05).
Conclusions
There is no survival difference between PTFE and bovine grafts. First year of the grafts is important for developing complications.
Keywords
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