A prospective randomized multicentre comparison of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and gelatin-sealed knitted Dacron grafts for femoropopliteal bypass

Purpose: To compare graft patency between expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and gelatin-sealed knitted Dacron for femoropopliteal bypass. Method s: A prospective, multicentre trial was performed in 108 patients randomize d to receive either a PTFE or Dacron prosthetic graft. Distal anastomosis w as above knee in 75 and below knee in 33 patients. Results: Primary patency at 1, 2 and 3 years was 72, 52 and 52% for PTFE, and 70, 56 and 47% for Da cron (P = 0.87), Secondary patency at 1, 2 and 3 years was 74, 54 and 54% f or PTFE and 78, 70 and 53% for Dacron (P = 0.39). The most significant pred ictors of early graft failure were poor vessel run-off (P = 0.04) and criti cal limb ischaemia (P = 0.04). Conclusion: There was no difference in graft patency between PTFE and Dacron for femoropopliteal bypass. (C) 1999 The I nternational Society for Cardiovascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Scie nce Ltd. All rights reserved.