A new fibrin containing small diameter arterial prosthesis

New "biolized" polymeric materials have been obtained by mixing synthetic polymers with the plasma protein fibrinogen of human origin. The blend has been submitted to enzimatic treatment with thrombin in order to convert fibrinogen into fibrin, and factor XIII and calcium ions to covalently cross-link fibrin. These new biomaterials have been used for the construction of small internal diameter (less than 5 mm) vascular prostheses by pushing the polymer solution containing fibrinogen under pressure through a fine orifice which moves longitudinally with respect to a rotating mandrel.