Evaluation of Gore-Tex graft material in the repair of right ventricular outflow tract defect.

Following right ventriculotomy, Gore-Tex PTFE vascular grafts were placed in eight neutered male, 6- to 8-week-old, 8- to 12-kg pigs. Ten to 14 months after surgery each pig was evaluated by right heart catheterization. The swine were sacrificed and the hearts were evaluated grossly and microscopically. Comparison of the mean derived cardiovascular hemodynamic parameters in this group with published data on swine and humans indicated normal cardiovascular physiology. Since there was no gradient across the patched areas, it appears that the patches had no adverse effects on the cardiovascular system of growing pigs over an approximately 1-year time period. In addition, the Gore-Tex appeared to be satisfactory for the repair of right ventricular outflow enlargement. Its relative ease of handling, configuration, and lack of aneurysm formation were advantages over other available materials. However, focal calcification and chronic inflammatory reaction did indicate the possibility of long-term prosthetic failure.