Late disruption of Dacron aortic grafts. 1997

S E Wilson, and R Krug, and G Mueller, and L Wilson
Department of Surgery, UC Irvine College of Medicine, Orange, CA, USA.

Aneurysmal degeneration, or complete disruption of Dacron grafts (as opposed to anastomotic complications such as pseudoaneurysms), are not expected by vascular surgeons. We have noted two such cases. A 65-year-old male who had an aortobifemoral, double-velour Dacron graft in 1980, presented in 1995 with a large, pulsatile mass in the right lower quadrant, caused by disruption of the mid-portion of the right limb of the Dacron graft. In a second case, a 68-year-old man had a Dacron aortobifemoral graft placed in 1968 which developed diffuse aneurysmal defects, noted clinically in 1987. Both patients had successful graft replacement. A review of the literature indicates that this complication, although unusual, has been noted periodically. Between 1970 and 1996, we identified 11 case reports of aortic Dacron graft rupture, including knitted Dacron (4), double velour (3), woven (1), knitted thin wall (1), and unspecified Dacron grafts (2). An inquiry to the FDA disclosed another 68 cases of Dacron graft failure in addition to those reported in the surgical literature. We present these cases to alert vascular surgeons of the possibility of Dacron graft degeneration, as late as 19 years after implantation. Diagnosis of the complication is readily apparent by clinical examination and imaging studies, which display an aneurysm of the graft remote from the anastomoses.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D011093 Polyethylene Terephthalates Polyester polymers formed from terephthalic acid or its esters and ethylene glycol. They can be formed into tapes, films or pulled into fibers that are pressed into meshes or woven into fabrics. Dacron,Nalophan,PET Polymer,Poly(Ethylene Terephtalate),Polyethylene Terephthalate,Tedlar,Dacrons,Nalophans,PET Polymers,Tedlars,Terephthalate, Polyethylene,Terephthalates, Polyethylene
D011475 Prosthesis Failure Malfunction of implantation shunts, valves, etc., and prosthesis loosening, migration, and breaking. Prosthesis Loosening,Prosthesis Durability,Prosthesis Migration,Prosthesis Survival,Durabilities, Prosthesis,Durability, Prosthesis,Failure, Prosthesis,Failures, Prosthesis,Loosening, Prosthesis,Loosenings, Prosthesis,Migration, Prosthesis,Migrations, Prosthesis,Prosthesis Durabilities,Prosthesis Failures,Prosthesis Loosenings,Prosthesis Migrations,Prosthesis Survivals,Survival, Prosthesis,Survivals, Prosthesis
D001807 Blood Vessel Prosthesis Device constructed of either synthetic or biological material that is used for the repair of injured or diseased blood vessels. Vascular Prosthesis,Blood Vessel Prostheses,Tissue-Engineered Vascular Graft,Graft, Tissue-Engineered Vascular,Grafts, Tissue-Engineered Vascular,Prostheses, Blood Vessel,Prostheses, Vascular,Prosthesis, Blood Vessel,Prosthesis, Vascular,Tissue Engineered Vascular Graft,Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts,Vascular Graft, Tissue-Engineered,Vascular Grafts, Tissue-Engineered,Vascular Prostheses,Vessel Prostheses, Blood,Vessel Prosthesis, Blood
D005263 Femoral Artery The main artery of the thigh, a continuation of the external iliac artery. Common Femoral Artery,Arteries, Common Femoral,Arteries, Femoral,Artery, Common Femoral,Artery, Femoral,Common Femoral Arteries,Femoral Arteries,Femoral Arteries, Common,Femoral Artery, Common
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D001012 Aorta, Abdominal The aorta from the DIAPHRAGM to the bifurcation into the right and left common iliac arteries. Abdominal Aorta,Abdominal Aortas,Aortas, Abdominal
D001157 Arterial Occlusive Diseases Pathological processes which result in the partial or complete obstruction of ARTERIES. They are characterized by greatly reduced or absence of blood flow through these vessels. They are also known as arterial insufficiency. Arterial Obstructive Diseases,Arterial Occlusion,Arterial Obstructive Disease,Arterial Occlusions,Arterial Occlusive Disease,Disease, Arterial Obstructive,Disease, Arterial Occlusive,Obstructive Disease, Arterial,Occlusion, Arterial,Occlusive Disease, Arterial
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor

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