Press Release: Artegraft : Retrospective Study Confirms Bovine Carotid Artery Biologic Graft Outperforms Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene for Hemodialysis Access

NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J., April 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A retrospective review of 120 consecutive hemodialysis grafts placed in 98 patients was evaluated for patency and graft complications. Conducted between 2011 and 2014, the results were published in the March, 2017 Journal of Vascular Surgery, titled "Bovine carotid artery biologic graft outperforms expanded polytetrafluoroethylene for hemodialysis access."Initially presented at the 2015 symposium of the Society of Clinical Vascular Surgery, 52 grafts (43%) were Artegraft® Bovine Carotid Artery Graft (BCA) and 68 (57%) were ePTFE grafts from three major manufacturers.In the review study, primary and primary assisted patencies were similar for BCA and ePTFE grafts. However, secondary patency was higher for BCA, indicating better durability for the biologic graft than for ePTFE grafts in patients whose anatomy precludes placement of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF).Graft infection, steal and pseudoaneurysm rates were lower for BCA than for ePTFE. There was a fivefold increase in mortality associated with ePTFE.The study concluded that BCA is a durable alternative to AVF in contemporary practice.About ArtegraftIncorporated in 1993, Artegraft Inc. offers surgeons a clinically proven biological alternative to synthetic grafts and an ideal repair and salvage conduit for a fistula. Artegraft's natural collagen matrix has proven long-term patency advantages over ePTFE and other synthetic graft materials. Artegraft was the first vascular graft approved by the FDA in 1970 and has been in continuous clinical use for over 45 years. For more information, visit www.artegraft.com.SOURCE Artegraft