¹Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Kliniği, Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi,
²Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Kliniği, Yedikule Göğüs Hastalıkları ve Göğüs Cerrahisi Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, İstanbul
³Kalp ve Damar Cerrahisi Kliniği, Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Ankara DOI : 10.9739/uvcd.2013-35376 b> Prostetic grafts are used for revascularization of lower extremity periphe- ral arterial insufficiency disease where an autologous saphene vein conduit does not exist. We have been using multi-layered (knit polyester textile coated) hybrid ePTFE vascular graft (FUSION Vascular Graft, MAQUET, USA) in patients without suitable autologous vein conduit, and this study aims to report graft characteristics and patency rates for the first time in the literature. Material and Methods: Between January 2012 and January 2013, 32 patients who were operated for lower extremity revascularization and did not have a suitable vein conduit were included in this study. Twenty nine patients had infrainguinal above-knee femoropopliteal bypass (2 patients had bilateral bypass) and 3 had femoral artery graft interposition. Patients were examined for local complications at the postoperative period and graft patency was evaluated at the 6th month with Doppler ultrasonography and computerized tomography angiography. Results: Graft occlusion was detected in one patient who had poor distal run-off and discontinued his antiagreagant medications after 6 months. Secondary patency was also achieved with thrombectomy in this patient. Other patients were followed for a median follow-up of 8.2 months, and all grafts were patent and local complications were not observed. Conclusion: Multilayer, hybrid, polyester covered PTFE grafts may be preferred as an alternative graft with low local complication and short term occlu- sion rates in patients without suitable saphenous vein conduit for lower extremity revascularization. Keywords : Ischemia; peripheral arterial disease; polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); polyesters; vascular patency