Vascular Grafts: Technology Success/Technology Failure

Vascular prostheses (grafts) are widely used for hemodialysis blood access, trauma repair, aneurism and cardiovascular reconstruction. However, smaller-diameter (≤4 mm) grafts that would be valuable many reconstructions have not been achieved to date, although hundreds of papers on small-diameter vascular published. This perspective article presents a hypothesis may open new research avenues the development grafts. A historical review graft literature specific types is presented focusing observations important presented. Considerations in critically reviewing discussed. The perhaps “biocompatible biomaterials” comprising our grafts—biomaterials generate dense, nonvascularized collagenous capsules upon implantation—may all biocompatible Examples materials heal with tissue reconstruction vascularity, contrast fibrotic encapsulation, offered. Such prohealing lead way generation suitable reconstructions.