Discouraging results have usually followed the insertion of replacement grafts into the vena cava of dogs. Deterling and Bhonslay4 observed some success with aortic homografts in the superior vena cava, but their results with Ivalon (polyvinyl formalinized) sponge, taffeta of Dacron and nylon, woven nylon tubing, and venous autografts were discouraging. Egdahl and associates5 and Daniel2 observed limited, but better, results with tissue grafts than with plastic tubes or synthetic fabrics inserted into veins. Kay9 was successful in 30% of dogs in which he inserted caval homografts. DeBakey3 noted success in only 25% of the dogs which had an aortic homograft placed in the vena cava. Various authors9,10,12 have frequently reported complete failure, or only partial success, with grafts inserted into the vena cava of patients, but isolated reports have indicated the successful clinical replacement of segments of the vena cava.4,7,8
Inadequate clinical