Microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene arterial prosthesis for construction of aortopulmonary shunts: experimental and clinical results.

A new microporous, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene arterial prosthesis was evaluated in dogs. The material appears to produce an adequate prosthesis for aortopulmonary anastomosis in animals and can conduct a high rate of blood flow. The graft has been used in 3 patients with pulmonary atresia aged 2 days, 2 months, and 6 months. Thus far all patients are well, growing, and have a loud shunt murmur. The desirable features of this type of anastomosis are presented.