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. Methods: A prospective, multicentre trial was performed in 108 patients randomized to receive either a PTFE or Dacron prosthetic graft. Distal anastomosis was 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 Dacron ( P=0.87). Secondary patency at 1, 2 and 3 years was 74, 54 and 54% for PTFE and 78, 70 and 53% for Dacron ( P=0.39). The most significant predictors of early graft failure were poor vessel run-off ( P=0.04) and critical limb ischaemia ( P=0.04). Conclusion: There was no difference in graft patency between PTFE and Dacron for femoropopliteal bypass.