Human umbilical vein graft

A human umbilical vein graft (HUVG) is a specially prepared human umbilical vein that is used as a vascular graft. HUVGs have found use in arteriovenous fistulae^[1] (for patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis), as an interposition graft between the subclavian artery and pulmonary artery (in the Blalock-Taussig shunt procedure^[2]), and for peripheral bypass graft surgery, when the great saphenous vein (the preferred conduit) is unavailable or unusable.

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HUVGs for peripheral bypass grafts are second only to the saphenous vein for long-term patency.^[3] However, they do have some tendency to form aneurysms and require more delicate handling than synthetic graft material from PETE (Dacron®) or PTFE.

References

^ Rubio PA, Farrell EM. Modified human umbilical vein graft arteriovenous fistulae as a source of angioaccess in maintenance hemodialysis. Cardiovasc Dis. 1980 Mar;7(1):51-57. PMID 15216281. Full Text.
^ Leao LE, Andrade JC, Succi JE, Cueva CC, Ribeiro EE, Carvalho AC, Buffolo E. Modified Blalock-Taussig shunt with an umbilical vein graft. Tex Heart Inst J. 1985 Mar;12(1):65-71. PMID 15227043. Full Text.
^ Neufang A, Espinola-Klein C, Dorweiler B, Reinstadler J, Pitton M, Savvidis S, Fischer R, Vahl C, Schmiedt W. Sequential femorodistal composite bypass with second generation glutaraldehyde stabilized human umbilical vein (HUV). Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2005 Aug;30(2):176-83. PMID 15950502.

Category: Vascular surgery