Artegraft BCA superior to cuffed ePTFE for hemodialysis access

Artegraft, Inc. announces that a three-year prospective, randomized clinical study published in the June 2011 issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery confirms the superiority of Artegraft® Bovine Carotid Artery vascular grafts (BCA) to cuffed ePTFE grafts. Conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital, the study concluded that the BCA graft had significantly higher primary and assisted patency rates than the ePTFE graft, making Artegraft an excellent option for patients on hemodialysis who are not eligible for native arteriovenous fistulas.

The study results concluded that the Overall Primary Patency Rate at one year was 60 percent for Artegraft and 10 percent for ePTFE. For Assisted Primary Patency Rate at one year, Artegraft was 60 percent and ePTFE was 20 percent, according to the study results. After two years, the Assisted Primary Rate was 40 percent for Artegraft and 14 percent for ePTFE. Study results also concluded that there were less thrombosis and fewer interventions with the Artegraft BCA, as well as no pseudoaneurysms.

"The study validates the results that leading surgeons who have used Artegraft have experienced for 40 years," said Richard A. Gibson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Artegraft. "Our BCA grafts have been successfully used in thousands of patients. Its success is due to many factors, including the superior placement characteristics of Artegraft and that it is naturally accepted by the body."

A natural collagen vascular graft, Artegraft is processed to enhance long-term patency and provide a tightly woven, cross-linked conduit that is flexible and compliant. It is especially ideal to utilize in patients with failed or immature native fistula; interposition in a fistula with a ruptured aneurysm; groin access; low protein conditions in which seroma formation may occur; and patients with hypotension. Patients suffering from an infected ePTFE graft or recurrent clotting with a synthetic graft or fistula are candidates for Artegraft, as well.