Long-term patency (9 1/2 years) and atherosclerosis of a polytetrafluoroethylene (Gortex) coronary artery bypass graft.
The patency of a polytetrafluoroethylene (Gortex) graft 9 1/2 years after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is demonstrated. While this material is not commonly used as a conduit because of limited success in the past, this case demonstrates that, given the right circumstances, long-term patency is possible. Since available conduits for CABG are quite often limited, viable alternatives may be lifesaving and require further evaluation. In addition to mechanical considerations such as size, length, and material, anticoagulation and strict management of hyperlipidemia may be critical.