Lipid uptake in ePTFE arterial prostheses implanted in humans

Lipid uptake in 104 ePTFE microporous vascular prostheses implanted in humans was investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The assignment of the infrared features observed in the spectra of explanted ePTFE microporous vascular prostheses shows unambiguously the presence of fatty acids in the structure of the arterial prosthesis wall. In addition, higher lipid concentration is found on the external side of the prostheses before 500 days of implantation, after which this behaviour is reversed. Finally, it seems that a greater amount of lipids are present on the surfaces of prostheses implanted in extra-anatomical sites as compared to those implanted in anatomical sites.