A Unique Case of an Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Graft Rupture 14 Years after Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Open Repair Managed with Placement of a Thoracic Endograft

We report a unique case of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) tube graft rupture that occurred 14 years after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Endovascular repair with a thoracic endograft was performed. Postoperatively, an increase in the size of the existing hematoma with active extravasation occurred and was managed with iliolumbar artery embolization. Τo the best of our knowledge, rupture of ePTFE graft used for AAA repair has not been reported in the literature.

P3651Outcomes of right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in children: comparison between bovine jugular vein graft and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft

Background Various types of conduits are available for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction (RVOTR). The bovine jugular vein graft (BJVG) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft (ePTFEG) have been descrived as an alternative to the homograft for RVOTR. Purpose- This study summarized the results to evaluate the single-center operation of RVOTR using BJVG and ePTFEG. Methods The valve functions of 27 patients under 20 years old who underwent primary RVOTR with BJVG and 26 patients with ePTFEG at our university hospital between 2013 and 2018 were retrospectively investigated. The valve conditions were assessed using echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Results The median age at the time of operation was 1.8 years old (range, 6 days to 7.8 years old) with BJVG and 2.2 years old (range, 8 months to 9.1 years old) with ePTFEG. The median follow-up time was 3.4 years (range, 2 months to 5.2 years) with BJVG and 2.1 years (range, 1 month to 5.1 years) with ePTFEG. The peak RVOT gradient of BJVG was lower than ePTFEG (10.6±7.7 mmHg versus 18.1±16.2 mmHg, P=0.035). There were no differences in branch pulmonary stenosis defined as peak gradient up to 36mmHg (40.7% versus 50.0%, P=0.50) and pulmonary regurgitation graded worse than moderate (18.5% versus 11.5%, P=0.48) with BJVG and ePTFEG, respectively. Aneurysmal dilatation of the conduit was seen 22.2% with BJVG but none of patients with ePTFEG (P=0.01). All of patients with aneurysmal dilated BJVG had branch pulmonary stenosis. There were no differences in catheter intervention for branch pulmonary stenosis (22.2% versus 30.8%, P=0.48) and conduit replacement (11.1% versus 7.7%, log rank P=0.67) with BJVG and ePTFEG, respectively. There were no deaths during the fllow-up period in both groups. Conclusions The outcomes of RVOTR with BJVG and ePTFEG were clinically satisfactory. Aneurysmal dilatation was seen with BJVG and branch pulmonary stenosis was the risk factor for aneurysmal dilatation.

A Novel Method for the Treatment of Bilateral Hypogastric Aneurysms Using Hybrid Polytetrafluoroethylene Graft

Open aortic aneurysm repair in the setting of bilateral hypogastric aneurysms is technically challenging. We present a novel technique for open surgical repair for bilateral hypogastric aneurysms using the Gore hybrid vascular graft (GVHG; W. L. Gore and Associates Inc, Flagstaff, Arizona). The GVHG is an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft with a nitinol stent at 1 end designed for hemodialysis access. The GVHG has been also been used for aortic debranching and treatment of occlusive disease. We describe the first report using GVHG to repair hypogastric aneurysms.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the presence of a heparin-bonded bypass graft

The use of prosthetic grafts in below-knee bypasses may be necessary in patients with no available autologous vein and critical limb ischemia not amenable to angioplasty. Such conduits, however, have generally yielded disappointing results. A new, heparin-bonded, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft (Gore Propaten vascular graft) designed to provide resistance to thrombosis may be associated with decreased early graft failure and increased patency. A concern with exposure to heparin, and therefore heparin-bonded prostheses, is the development of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Although rare, this requires prompt graft removal. We present a case to highlight this serious complication and review the literature on this topic.