Prevention of high flow problems of arteriovenous grafts. Development of a new tapered graft.

Blood flow of 2 to 3 liters/min was measured in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) arteriovenous dialysis grafts. The flow studies were done at the time of graft banding for high output cardiac failure or peripheral steal. Routine tapering of the arterial end of these grafts to a diameter of less than 5 mm has virtually eliminated this problem. Prototype tapered PTFE grafts supplied by the graft manufacturers have been very acceptable during 12 months of use.