A vascular graft is a surgical implant used to replace or repair damaged or diseased blood vessels in the body. The graft is typically made from a synthetic material or a piece of a patient's own blood vessel, which is harvested and used to replace the damaged portion of the vessel.
Vascular grafts are commonly used to treat a variety of conditions, including peripheral artery disease, aneurysms, and vascular access for hemodialysis. They may also be used in heart bypass surgery, where the graft is used to reroute blood around a blocked or narrowed coronary artery.
There are different types of vascular grafts available, including synthetic grafts made from materials like Dacron or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), and biological grafts made from animal or human tissue. The choice of graft material depends on the patient's specific condition and other factors such as age, overall health, and lifestyle.
While vascular grafts can be life-saving, they are not without risks. Complications such as infection, bleeding, clotting, and graft failure can occur. Patients who undergo vascular graft surgery typically require close monitoring and follow-up care to ensure that the graft is functioning properly and to address any potential issues that may arise.