Occupational Lung Disease Caused by Exposure to Polytetrafluoroethylene.

We herein report a 45-year-old-man with multiple foreign body granulomas in the lungs caused by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). A mass in the right lower lobe of the lung and bilateral centrilobular lung nodules were found unexpectedly during the patient's visit to a hospital for a respiratory infection. The patient's occupation for 26 years involved spraying PTFE. A lung biopsy using bronchoscopy revealed granulomatous lesions and giant cells. The presence of fluorine in the granulomatous lesions was confirmed using an electron probe microanalyzer with wavelength dispersive spectrometer. Fluorine is a component of PTFE and is not found in normal lung tissue.

Constrictive pericarditis caused by pericardial substitution using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

BACKGROUND: Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is commonly used as a pericardial substitute during cardiac surgery to prevent cardiac injury during re-sternotomy. However, although rare, constrictive pericarditis associated with ePTFE has been reported. MATERIAL, METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we report a rare case of constrictive pericarditis developed due to severe restriction of cardiac motion associated with the ePTFE membrane used as a pericardial substitute. Hemodynamic improvement has been achieved by surgical removal of the ePTFE membrane and exudates within the overlapped portion of the ePTFE membranes, and dissection of the epicardial fibrous thickening. CONCLUSION: Considering the risk of constrictive pericarditis, we believe that the use of ePTFE membranes as a pericardial substitute should be carefully indicated for only selected patients.

Teflon Granuloma: A Common Cause of Recurrent Trigeminal Neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a common pain syndrome of the nervous system,. Although about 90% patients who were refractory to medications could be free from pain after microvascular decompression (MVD), some patients did experience recurrence. The study aimed to analyze clinical characteristics of patients with recurrent TN, recurrence factors of TN, and prognosis after re-do MVD. METHODS: Clinical data and at least 12 months follow-up of patients with recurrent TN who underwent re-do MVD in our hospital from 2005 to 2020 were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients with recurrent TN were enrolled eventually; adhesive arachnoid membranes were found in all patients. Teflon granuloma was found in 10 patients, new neurovascular compression (NVC) in 3 patients, and vascular displacement in 1 patient. Pain disappeared in 12 patients and relieved in 2 patients, but 4 patients experienced mild facial numbness and 1 patient suffered from incision infection after re-do MVC. No serious surgery-related complications and pain recurrences were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Teflon granuloma was the most common cause of TN recurrence in current study, new NVC was also saw in some patients. Patients with recurrent TN could get satisfactory results from re-do MVD.

Two cases of asymptomatic Teflon granulomas following microvascular decompression mimicking cerebellopontine angle tumours: lessons learnt in the neuro-oncology multidisciplinary team.

We present the cases of two patients with asymptomatic Teflon granulomas which were incidentally found years after microvascular decompression and presented to the neuro-oncology multidisciplinary team as possible cerebellopontine angle tumours. Teflon granulomas can be asymptomatic and they can radiologically resemble cerebellopontine angle tumours. It is important that all relevant information is available to the neuro-oncology multidisciplinary team for adequate assessment and appropriate treatment recommendations.

Complex Fistula Formations After Orbital Fracture Repair With Teflon: A Review of 3 Case Reports.

ABSTRACT: The authors present 3 unique cases of complex fistula formations because of orbital fracture repair with a Teflon (polytetrafluroethylene) implant. A 26-year-old man presented with dacryocystitis and a cutaneous fistula 8 years after left orbital floor and medial wall fracture repair with a Teflon implant. A 46-year-old woman suffered orbital trauma after a motor vehicle accident as a teenager and the fracture was repaired with Teflon implant. Thirty-two years later, she presented with lower eyelid fistula, ectropion, and retraction. A 65-year-old woman also previously had Teflon implants for the repair of her left inferior and lateral orbital rim after a motor vehicle accident. Twenty-five years later, she presented with chronic infections involving the repaired areas, as well as left lower lid ectropion and fistula formation. The woven material nature of Teflon acted as a nidus for infection, inflammation, and led to complex cutaneous fistula formations in these patients.

The Potential Relation Between polytetrafluoroethylene Grafts after Open Reconstructions for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Perigraft Seromas.

BACKGROUND: The presence of sac enlargement after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) open repair, a condition usually called perigraft seroma (PGS), nearly always has a benign behavior. Some theories implicated for PGS formation include coagulation abnormalities, fibroblast inhibition, low-grade infection, or improper graft handling. METHODS: This is a retrospective study including patients treated for AAA in 2 academic vascular surgery departments from 2007 to 2014, where 1 center preferably used polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts whereas the preference of other center was mostly Dacron graft. The definition of PGS was conceived as a fluid collection around the graft on CT scan imaging with a radiodensity ≤25 Hounsfield units, reaching at least 30 mm in diameter and beyond the third postoperative month. Analysis was performed between patients with and without PGS. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients met the inclusion criteria: 42 received Dacron and 36 PTFE grafts. Twenty-three (29.5%) patients accomplished the PGS diagnosis. Having a PTFE graft was the strongest factor for PGS formation on multivariate analysis. The medium seroma size was 42 mm (range, 30-90.6 mm) and the mean time from AAA repair to PGS detection was 26 months (range, 4-106 months). Three patients of the 23 with PGS required surgical repair, all of them were successfully treated: 2 by endovascular means and the remaining with explantation and Dacron reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: PGS formation is not an unusual complication after open reconstructions for AAA treatment. This is especially true for PTFE grafts, and thus, closer follow-up is warranted if using this material. Treatment is clearly needed when symptoms appear; however, preventive strategies with either endovascular relining or reopen reconstructions require an individual approach counterbalancing benefits versus risk of the procedures.

Complications of Alloplast Rhinoplasty and Their Management: A Comprehensive Review.

In Asian countries, augmentation rhinoplasty is especially common, where alloplastic implants are used much more commonly than autologous tissues. In rhinoplasty, such artificial materials include silicone, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), porous high-density polyethylene (pHDPE), and acellular human dermis. As the use of implants has become increasingly common in rhinoplasty, more adverse effects such as infection, extrusion, movement, irregularities, absorption, prolonged swelling, seroma, and contracture have been recognized and reported in the literature. Surgeons should be able to recognize these probable complications and manage them successfully. Early detection and prompt management of the complication are essential for minimizing the severity of the deformity. Proper management of complications is key for the success of dorsal augmentation using alloplastic implants.

Fluorine detection in the lung tissue of a worker with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and long-term occupational exposure to polytetrafluoroethylene and perfluorooctanoic acid.

Exposure to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a compound used in nonstick cookware coating and a variety of other applications, is known to cause acute lung injury and granulomatous pneumonitis. It is uncertain whether PTFE and compounds used in its manufacture, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), cause chronic lung disease. Here we report a case of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in a 71-year-old man who died following a brief illness clinically suspected to be acute respiratory distress syndrome. He had a 25-year history of occupational exposure to PTFE and PFOA. At postmortem examination, the lungs demonstrated diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) superimposed on interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. The interstitial fibrosis lacked fibroblast foci and exhibited basilar and subpleural accentuation with focal microscopic honeycombing. Within the fibrotic lung parenchyma were scattered giant cells containing birefringent translucent particles. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were performed. A majority of the birefringent particles demonstrated a prominent peak for fluorine by EDS analysis. This is the first report to document the presence of fluorine, an elemental constituent of PTFE and PFOA, in fibrotic lung tissue. Careful evaluation of other individuals with long-term exposure to PTFE and/or PFOA appears warranted to better elucidate the spectrum of pulmonary disease associated with these compounds.

Massive Ossification with Hematopoietic Marrow on Both Surfaces of the Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Artificial Dura Mater.

BACKGROUND: Artificial dural substitute made from an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) sheet has been widely used in surgical application. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a 19-year-old woman in whom massive ossification with hematopoietic marrow was noted on both surfaces of an ePTFE sheet during epilepsy surgery. At age 8, she underwent decompressive craniectomy for a ruptured arteriovenous malformation in the right frontal lobe, followed by duraplasty with an ePTFE sheet and autologous cranioplasty fixed with titanium miniplates. CONCLUSIONS: Since the ossification was prominent in the wrinkle dents of the ePTFE sheet and fibrotic membrane with repetitive hemorrhagic events was noted under the ePTFE sheet, the most plausible mechanism of ossification development is the organization of epiartificial and subartificial dural hematoma. Surgeons should be aware of the possibility of ossification development when working with ePTFE sheets for duraplasty.

Cardiocutaneous fistula 15 years postcardiac surgery: A real challenge.

Late Cardiocutaneous Fistula (CF) is an uncommon but potentially serious postoperative complication of cardiac surgery. We present the successful treatment of a 58-year-old female who developed a CF extending from the left ventricular apex into the left breast related to mitral valve replacement 15 years ago.

Long-term results of polytetrafluoroethylene versus saphenous vein repair of degenerative carotid artery aneurysm.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and great saphenous vein (GSV) bypass after resection of a degenerative aneurysm of the carotid artery. METHODS: From January 1994 to November 2017, 37 patients (27 men) with a mean age of 58 years (range, 39-82 years) with a degenerative aneurysm of the carotid artery (median diameter, 28 mm; range, 19-42 mm), underwent resection of the aneurysm followed by a bypass with either a GSV (n = 10) or a PTFE prosthesis (n = 27). Although 31 patients were asymptomatic, 6 patients were symptomatic: transient ischemic attack (n = 4), minor stroke (n = 1), and compression of the hypoglossal nerve (n = 1). The preoperative workup included duplex ultrasound examination of the arteries to the head, and angiography or computed tomography angiography. All patients were operated under general anesthesia and six were intubated through the nose. Sixteen patients were monitored through transcutaneous oximetry. No shunt was used in this series. In 10 patients receiving a PTFE graft, the external carotid artery was implanted in the prosthesis. Mean follow-up was 16.9 ± 2 years (95% confidence interval, 14.5-19.3 years). Primary end points were the 30-day combined stroke/death rate, graft infection, late graft patency, and late stroke-free survival. Secondary end points were cranial nerve injury and length of postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: Postoperative mortality was nil in both groups. One postoperative stroke was observed in the PTFE group, whereas none occurred in the GSV group (P = .84). No graft infection was observed in either group. At 10 years, survival in the GSV group was 80 ± 12%, and survival in the PTFE group was 76 ± 8% (log-rank [Mantel-Cox], P = .85). In the GSV group, graft patency at 7 and 10 years was 85 ± 13%. In the PTFE group B, graft patency was 100% (log-rank [Mantel-Cox], P = .12). No late stroke was observed. Two transient cranial nerve injuries were observed in the GSV group (20%) and two in the PTFE group (8%) (P = .97). Length of hospital stay was comparable in both groups (GSV group, 6 days; PTFE group, 5 days; P = .12). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that, after resection of a degenerative aneurysm of the carotid artery, bypass with a PTFE prosthesis gives comparable results to those obtained with the GSV. We recommend sparing the GSV and instead using a PTFE prosthesis in patients with a degenerative aneurysm of the carotid artery.

Polytetrafluoroethylene granuloma-associated facial palsy following microvascular decompression.

OBJECTIVE: Microvascular decompression (MVD) may be employed in the management of hemifacial spasm (HFS), wherein a pledget of polytetrafluoroethylene (i.e., Teflon, Chemours, Wilmington DE) is sometimes introduced to separate an offending vessel from the cisternal segment of facial nerve. Rarely, Teflon may cause a granulomatous reaction resulting in nerve palsy. We here present the first case series of facial palsy thought to be secondary to Teflon granuloma following MVD for HFS. METHODS: A data repository of 1,312 patients with facial palsy was reviewed to identify individuals who had previously undergone MVD for HFS. Data collected include age at time of MVD, age at onset of facial weakness and at presentation, House-Brackmann scores, clinician-graded facial function using the Electronic Facial Paralysis Assessment scale, imaging findings, and therapeutic interventions and outcomes. RESULTS: Six patients meeting criteria were identified. Average time between MVD with Teflon placement and onset of facial weakness was 16.1 (±4.9) years (range 9.3-23.3 years). Initial House-Brackmann scores were as follows: four patients with V/VI and one each with III/VI and IV/VI. Interventions included eyelid weight placement (n = 3), chemodenervation (n = 2), static suspension with tensor fascia latae (n = 2), dynamic reanimation with cranial nerves V to VII transfer (n = 1), and temporalis muscle transfer (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Teflon granuloma should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with new onset facial weakness with a previous history of MVD for HFS. It remains unknown whether early granuloma extirpation is effective. Prompt diagnosis allows consideration of time-sensitive nerve transfer procedures to reanimate facial function. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:1422-1427, 2020.

Retroprosthetic Seroma After Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair Is Related to Mesh Used?

Purpose: Retroprosthetic seroma (RS) is defined as a fluid collection located between the abdominal viscera and the intraperitoneal mesh implanted during surgery. Aim of this study is to report the incidence and clinical impact of RS based on the type of mesh implanted during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR). Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent LVHR were allocated in group A if expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh was used during surgery and in group B if other types of mesh were used. Patients were evaluated on postoperative day (POD) 1 and 7 with physical examination and 1 month after surgery by physical examination and with an abdominal computed tomography scan, respectively. Results: Sixty patients were included. Of these 41 patients (68.3%) were included in group A and 19 patients (31.7%) in group B. Signs of RS were not observed in any patient on POD 7. One month after surgery, RS was observed in 13 patients (21.6%). One patient (7.7%) with RS experienced great discomfort and mesh detachment, and underwent a second surgical treatment. All RSs were observed in group A, and the difference with group B was statistically significant (P = .005). Conclusions: The use of ePTFE mesh is related to the development of RS. The treatment of choice without clinical symptoms should be conservative. Randomized control trial and prospective studies with a larger sample size and control group are required to confirm these data, although this study shows a high evidence of the relation of RS and the type of mesh.

Teflon™ or Ivalon®: a scoping review of implants used in microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is characterized by jolts of pain along the distribution of the trigeminal nerve. If patients fail conservative management, microvascular decompression (MVD) is the next step in treatment. MVD is largely done by placing implant pads between the nerve and compressing vessels. We conducted a literature review to assess effectiveness and safety of Teflon™ and Ivalon® sponges for treatment of TN with MVD. METHODS: In January 2019, PubMed was searched for manuscripts published in English using permutations of "Microvascular decompression", "Teflon", "Ivalon", "Granuloma", "Polytetrafluoroethylene", "Trigeminal Neuralgia", and "Exploration". Success and relapse rates, causes of relapse, and complication rates were analyzed. We analyzed for relationships with ANCOVA at an alpha threshold of .05. RESULTS: Thirty-six studies representing 4273 patients fit inclusion criteria. Twenty-five dealt with initial MVD, 12 with re-do MVD. Initial MVD initial success rates were 85% in patients receiving Teflon™ (57-100%*) and 91% in patients receiving Ivalon® (79-100%*). Recurrence rates were 12% in Teflon™ patients (0*-30%) and 9.1% in Ivalon® patients (0*-19%). In patients with relapses, implants were the cause in 49% of Teflon™ patients (0*-100%*) and 50% of Ivalon® patients (0*-100%*). Complication rates for patients receiving Teflon™ were 12% (0*-34%) and 19% for patients receiving Ivalon® (0*-40%). CONCLUSION: Teflon™ and Ivalon® are two materials used in MVD for TN. It is an effective treatment with long-term symptom relief and recurrence rates of 1-5% each year. Ivalon® has been used less than Teflon™ though is associated with similar success rates and similar complication rates.

Comparative study of four different types of intraperitoneal mesh prostheses in rats.

PURPOSE: To compare four types of mesh regarding visceral adhesions, inflammatory response and incorporation. METHODS: Sixty Wistar rats were divided into four groups, with different meshes implanted intraperitoneally: polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE group); polypropylene with polydioxanone and oxidized cellulose (PCD); polypropylene (PM) and polypropylene with silicone (PMS). The variables analyzed were: area covered by adhesions, incorporation of the mesh and inflammatory reaction (evaluated histologically and by COX2 immunochemistry). RESULTS: The PMS group had the lowest adhesion area (63.1%) and grade 1 adhesions. The ePTFE and PM groups presented almost the total area of their surface covered by adherences (99.8% and 97.7% respectively) The group ePTFE had the highest percentage of area without incorporation (42%; p <0.001) with no difference between the other meshes. The PMS group had the best incorporation rate. And the histological analysis revealed that the inflammation scores were significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: The PM mesh had higher density of adherences, larger area of adherences, adherences to organs and percentage of incorporation. ePTFE had the higher area of adherences and lower incorporation. The PMS mesh performed best in the inflammation score, had a higher incorporation and lower area of adherences, and it was considered the best type of mesh.

Think before you leap: cutaneous hypersensitivity to polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous graft masquerading as infection.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft is a synthetic graft commonly used in chronic haemodialysis patients. Expected complications of synthetic grafts include infection, thrombosis, oedema and pain. PTFE is a non-textile graft that is chemically inert, electronegative and hydrophobic. Due to their chemical properties, PTFE grafts have lower risks of these adversities. We present a patient with a rare case of cutaneous hypersensitivity to a PTFE graft.

Ureteral Obstruction After Endoscopic Treatment of Vesicoureteral Reflux: Does the Type of Injected Bulking Agent Matter?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Endoscopic injection of bulking agents for the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) has become a therapeutic alternative to antibiotic prophylaxis and ureteral reimplantation. Although considered as a safe and efficient procedure, several studies have reported cases of ureteral obstruction (UO) after endoscopic correction of VUR. This review article evaluates the present VUR literature to estimate the incidence of UO following endoscopic injection of different substances, while also discussing the impact of injection technique and implant volume. RECENT FINDINGS: Twenty-five publications were identified that provided detailed information on 64 females and 32 males (age range, 7 months-48 years) that developed UO after endoscopic treatment of VUR using dextranomer/hyaluronic acid (Dx/HA), polyacrylate polyalcohol (PP), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or collagen. There was some variation in the reported incidence of UO among these materials: Dx/HA (0.5-6.1%), PP (1.1-1.6%), PDMS (2.5-10.0%), CaHA (1.0%), and PTFE (0.3%). Postoperative UO was described following subureteric transurethral injection (STING), intraureteric hydrodistension implantation technique (HIT), combined HIT/STING and double HIT. The injected volume ranged widely, also depending on the type of bulking agent: Dx/HA (0.3-3.0 mL), PP (0.3-1.2 mL), PDMS (1.0-2.2 mL), CaHA (0.4-0.6 mL), and PTFE (1.5-2.0 mL). The timing of UO varied from immediately after the procedure to 63 months. Over half of patients showed asymptomatic hydroureteronephrosis on follow-up imaging, whereas the remaining presented with symptoms of acute UO or fever. UO remains a rare complication after endoscopic correction of VUR, generally reported in less than 1% of treated cases, which appears to be independent of the injected substance, volume, and technique. However, long-term follow-up is recommended as asymptomatic or delayed UO can occur, potentially leading to deterioration of renal function.

Broad variation in prosthetic conduit use for femoral-popliteal bypass is not justified on the basis of contemporary outcomes favoring autologous great saphenous vein.

BACKGROUND: Single-segment great saphenous vein (GSV) has been the preferred conduit for femoral-popliteal (FP) bypass, particularly for a popliteal artery target below the knee. Yet, controversy persists surrounding whether prosthetic conduit can yield comparable outcomes to GSV for FP bypass to either the above-knee (AK) or below-knee (BK) popliteal artery. We sought to analyze national variation in conduit use and to compare contemporary outcomes in FP bypass. METHODS: A retrospective review of elective FP bypass in the Vascular Quality Initiative database using single-segment GSV or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) from 2003 to 2018 was performed. Variation in conduit use was examined on a regional and center level. Characteristics of the patients and operative factors were compared. Effects of conduit on 1-year outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: Of 7430 FP bypasses performed in the Vascular Quality Initiative, 3930 (53%) used GSV and 3500 (47%) used PTFE. Conduit use differed for AK-popliteal bypass (38% GSV and 62% PTFE) and BK-popliteal bypass (67% GSV and 33% PTFE). PTFE use was inversely correlated with preoperative vein mapping among centers (ρ = -0.55; P < .001). This inverse correlation was stronger for AK-popliteal bypasses (ρ = -0.61; P < .0001) than for BK-popliteal bypasses (ρ = -0.34; P = .0004). Overall, patients undergoing FP bypass with PTFE were more likely to be older and to have multiple medical comorbidities. Operative outcomes were similar between groups, although FP bypass with GSV incurred higher rates of wound infection (P < .001) and reoperation for bleeding, thrombosis, or revision (P < .01). At 1-year follow-up, GSV patients had higher graft occlusion-free survival (83% vs 78%; P < .001) and amputation-free survival (87% vs 82%; P < .001). These differences were observed for both AK-popliteal and BK-popliteal artery subgroups. On multivariable analyses stratified by bypass target, PTFE use was independently associated with increased risk of graft occlusion (AK-popliteal: hazard ratio [HR], 1.4 [P = .002]; BK-popliteal: HR, 1.3 [P = .02]) and amputation (AK-popliteal: HR, 1.4 [P = .006]; BK-popliteal: HR, 1.6 [P < .001]) at both target levels. CONCLUSIONS: PTFE is frequently used in FP bypass, representing two-thirds of AK-popliteal FP bypasses and one-third of BK-popliteal FP bypasses. However, PTFE use varies widely among centers. GSV was associated with higher rates of wound infection and reoperation and PTFE was associated with inferior 1-year outcomes independent of target artery level. GSV should be used for FP bypass whenever it is clinically feasible. Decreasing variation in prosthetic conduit use may be a useful quality improvement metric.

Pseudoaneurysm presenting around polytetrafluoroethylene fiber following microvascular decompression: A case report and literature review.

We report the first case of pseudoaneurysm associated with polytetrafluoroethylene fiber used in microvascular decompression (MVD). A 62-year-old female who had undergone MVD for hemifacial spasm 30 years ago presented with a 4-month history of progressive facial palsy. Computed tomography angiography revealed a large thrombosed aneurysm originating from the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery and having a mass effect upon the pons. The aneurysm was treated by trapping and bypass procedure. Intraoperatively, the pseudoaneurysm adhered to the dura mater, and the thrombus contained a large amount of polytetrafluoroethylene fiber. The cause and management of pseudoaneurysm after MVD is discussed.

Evaluation of materials used for vascular anastomoses using shear wave elastography.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects a substantial portion of the elderly population (>70 years). PAD can be symptomatic or asymptomatic, and treatment is directed towards improving functional vessel patency and limb salvage. Revascularization surgical treatments are needed in some cases, and it is not always possible to use autologous veins for vascular grafting. In this case, synthetic materials may be used. Synthetic materials such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and poly (ethylene terephthalate) (Dacron) have been used. These materials are much stiffer compared to normal arterial vessels so developing alternative materials is an active area of research. One such potential material is a p olyvinyl alcohol cryogel reinforced arterial model (PRAM). In this study we used shear wave elastography (SWE) techniques to compare the mechanical behavior of excised aortas and anastomoses formed between the aortas and the Dacron, ePTFE, and PRAM materials. Different initial longitudinal strains (0%-40%) and transmural pressures (20-180 mmHg) were used to test a wide range of parameters that are within physiological ranges. We found that the PRAM materials had similar mechanical behavior in terms of group velocity measured in the vessel wall with respect to the excised aortas compared to the Dacron and ePTFE that had higher values of group velocity. The ratios of the group velocity for the PRAM material with respect to the aortas ranged from 0.83 to 1.13 where the Dacron and ePTFE had ranges of 1.12-2.22 and 1.91-3.10 for the same stretch and pressure ranges. The PRAM materials provide an alternative vascular material with better mechanical matching with excised aortas.