Human umbilical vein graft

A human umbilical vein graft (HUVG) is a specially prepared human umbilical vein that is used as a vascular graft. HUVGs have found use in arteriovenous fistulae (for patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis), as an interposition graft between the subclavian artery and pulmonary artery (in the Blalock-Taussig shunt procedure ), and for peripheral bypass graft surgery, when the great saphenous vein (the preferred conduit) is unavailable or unusable.

HUVGs for peripheral bypass grafts are second only to the saphenous vein for long-term patency. However, they do have some tendency to form aneurysms and require more delicate handling than synthetic graft material from PETE (Dacron®) or PTFE.

External link

 * Umbilical vein graft - a picture, specifications and uses. Braile Biomedica.