Activation of Complement, In Suture and Prosthetic Graft Materials

Blood samples have been taken out from 20 persons. Sera were extracted, and cach sample was devided into 7 seperate tubes. In the first one used a control to vascular check the complement levels, in other tubes PTFE vascular graft, Dacron vascular graft, PTFE together with polypropylene suture, Dacron graft with PTFE suture and polypropy- lene suture samples were put. Following one hour incubation complement (C3e) and C, levels were measured.

As compared with the control group, there was complement activation in the following 6 tubes, (p< 0.001). Comple- ment activation in Dacron graft and polypropylene suture combination was the gretest of all. Increase in the trombo- cyte and polymorphonuclear leukocyte activity and aggregation may results in early or late graft failure. We believe that attempts to avoid the compliment activation will pre-early or late phase graft failure.