Arterial reconstruction of the limbs in poor run-off conditions and surgical repair of vena cava with expanded PTFE (IMPRA-grafts)

Seventy eight arterial and venous reconstructions using expanded microporous PTFE (IMPRA-grafts) are reported. This prosthetic material has been employed, by itself or in addition to autogenous vein segments when the saphenous vein was not available or inadequate in length or quality. Long term results show that 83% of vascular repairs are patent up to 36 months post-operatively. Since the prosthesis has been used in vena cava reconstructions, in patients with severe impairment of the distal arterial tree and in some cases in whom previous surgical treatment had failed, these results are favorable and encouraging.