The chemically treated bovine ureter—clinical performance of a novel biological vascular prosthesis

Aim: This paper describes the rationale, development and clinical performance of a novel small-diameter vascular prosthesis of non-vascular animal tissue origin. Method: Durable conduits suitable for coronary and peripheral arterial reconstruction are prepared for the first time from non-vascular animal tissue. Australian bovine ureters from young steers from protected herds are processed to form strong, bloodflow-compatible and non-immunogenic biologic grafts (‘Flonova’ R, Bionova International Pty Ltd, Melbourne). Fifty-six patients lacking suitable autogenous veins received 62 prostheses (32 bypasses were implanted above knee and 30 below knee). Determination of patency and function included Doppler ultrasound, duplex scanning and angiography. Findings: The primary patency rate at 1, 2 and 5 years, respectively was 67, 59 and 52% and the secondary patency for the same time frames was 88, 73 and 61%. There were no occlusions as a result of intimal hyperplasia. Dilatation of the wall was diagnosed in one prosthesis at 3.5 years, and one at 7 years, and a false aneurysm of unknown aetiology occurred in another at 3 months. There were no primary graft infections. Conclusion: This evaluation shows the chemically treated bovine ureter (CTBU) is a viable medium-term alternative to the currently available artificial vascular prostheses for peripheral revascularisation.