LONG-TERM EVALUATION OF A NEW SELECTIVELY BIODEGRADABLE VASCULAR GRAFT COATED WITH POLYETHYLENE OXIDE-POLYLACTIC ACID FOR RIGHT VENTRICULAR CONDUIT : AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

We have developed a compound vascular prosthesis in shich a knitted Dacron graft is coated with a polymeric biodegradable sealant. Polyethylene oxide-polylactic acid-segmented copolymers comprised the degradable component of the graft. Seven woven and six knitted polyethylene oxide-polylactic acid-coated Dacron grafts used as extracordiac conduits (16 mm), connecting the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery were implanted in dogs. The dogs were killed after 12 to 18 months, and the results are reported. This study indicates the superior healing properties of these selectively biodegradable grafts, which might increase long-term patency and decrease complications of right ventricular conduits