Use of polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for renal bypass.

Fifty-six revascularizations of the renal arteries were performed in 52 patients with renovascular hypertension with the use of polytetrafluorethylene grafts between June 1979 and October 1984, with an average follow-up of 25.0 +/- 7.7 months. Ninety-two percent of the patients were considered to have good results (30% cured and 62% improved). Four patients were classified as unsuccessfully treated; one died postoperatively of myocardial infarction. All patients underwent late angiographic studies, with only one graft thrombosis being identified. No evidence of anastomotic stenosis, graft dilatation, or false aneurysm occurred during the follow-up period. From this experience, we believe polytetrafluoroethylene grafts are a valuable alternative to other graft materials for renal artery bypass and may be the preferred graft in the management of atheromatous lesions.