Nonwoven PET fiber structures for vascular grafts applications

Synthetic grafts from woven polyethylene terephthalate fibers or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene have been used for decades to replace diseased arteries. However, their thrombogenicity and low compliance (vs. arteries) inevitably lead to their occlusion. A need exists for new synthetic grafts with an anti-thrombogenic surface and high compliance to improve long-term patency. grafts from nonwoven PET fiber structures obtained from melt blowing are evaluated. Contrary to commercial woven Dacron\u2122, they allow for mechanical compliance adjustment through control of fiber diameter, porosity and graft structure configuration. Their low thrombogenicity, when properly surface-treated using polyethylene glycol functionalization, artery-matching compliance and promising burst pressure are reported.Peer reviewed: NoNRC publication: Ye