Dardik Biograft Vascular Prosthesis
AssociatedAssociated with
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
(Aberdeen, Scotland, founded 1739)
Date1990s
Object NameProsthesis
MediumHuman tissue, paper, plastic
ClassificationsMedicine and Healthcare
Dimensions8.4 x 8 x 82cm (box)
AcquisitionPresented in 2000 by Morag Middleton.
LocationView by Appointment
Object numberABDMS069504
About MeThis prosthetic vein was constructed from umbilical veins "harvested" from women bearing children. Before the graft was used it was treated with heparinised fluid, then saline and finally filled with pure heparin. Heparin is an anticoagulant, used to decrease the clotting ability of the blood and help prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels. Herbert Dardik MD of the United States was one of the physicians behind the introduction of this prosthesis.