A modified technique for the production of an arterio-venous shunt in sheep, allowing a comparison of biocompatibility of synthetic materials.

IHerz- und Gefaesschirurgie der Justus-Liebig-Universitiit Giessen; 2PAZ GmbH FrankfurtlM; 3Zentrum fuer Pathologie der Justus-Liebig-Universitiit Giessen; 4Enka AG, Wuppertal, Germany Summary Polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) prostheses were implanted in 12 sheep as a shunt between the carotid artery and the jugular vein using an endto-side anastomosis technique. This technique allows repeated tests of the pharmacological and toxicological safety of artificial kidney units after both single and multiple administration. Furthermore, it enables the investigation of detoxification of compounds via dialysis, thus contributing to drug safety. Implantation of the prosthesis was uncomplicated. Connection to the extracorporeal circulation was achieved via catheters and maintained using a pump with an output of up to 300ml/min. This enabled maintenance of extracorporeal circulation for several hours without clinical impairment to the animals. The AV-shunts remained functional for between 8 and 253 days (mean 112·3 days).