Aneurysms of a Double Velour Aortic Graft

Abstract

• Aneurysms of vascular prostheses have been repeatedly described as focal or general dilatations. These can be secondary to preimplantation trauma to the graft or to late fiber degeneration. Follow-up of double velour knitted Dacron grafts have shown a significant absence of aneurysm formation, which has been attributed to the increased encapsulation around the graft. We report multiple aneurysm formation six years after implantation in such a graft, a condition that, to our knowledge, has not been described previously. Subsequent macroscopic and scanning electron microscopic examination of the explant disclosed broken textile fibers and distortion of the graft in the area of the aneurysms. The location of the aneurysms and the lack of history or evidence of trauma led us to believe that this was primary fiber degeneration of the graft. (Arch Surg 1984;119:1182-1184)