Biomateriali e graft technology per protesi vascolari: dal laboratorio alla clinica

Peripheral artery disease and related revascularization procedures are increasing, due to the aging population and growing incidence of diabetes mellitus. Up to now, autologous saphenous vein is the conduit of choice for peripheral by-pass. Synthetic vascular graft in polyethylene terephthalate (Dacron) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) are used if vein access cannot be obtained. These synthetic grafts are successfully used to replace large diameter vessels, but they fail in small diameters (<6 mm) such as for infragenicular by-pass. Reasons for failure are early thrombosis and late intimal hyperplasia. Novel small-diameter vascular grafts with an acceptable clinical outcome are therefore needed. Here, the main materials and technologies for the manufacturing of vascular grafts and the pathway from bench to bedside are discussed.