Venographic Changes Associated with Seeded and Nonseeded Vena Cava Grafting

Thirty-four mongrel dogs had their inferior vena cava replaced by a 10 cm porcine endothelial cell seeded or nonseeded polytetrafluroethylene graft. Graft patency at four days (documented by cavograms) was then correlated with that noted at the time of sacrifice (day 32). The overall day 32 patency rate was 32 %. Grafts seeded and treated with aspirin had the highest patency rate. Collaterals were noted on all cavograms showing clotted grafts and on none of the patent grafts. Large collaterals were seen in 25% of the subjects, and moderate and minimal collateralization occurred in 75% of the cases. No correlation was noted between graft occlusion and symptomatology.