Journal Article

In Vitro Analysis of Modular Aortic Stent-Graft Failure

Hinchliffe, Robert J., Natarajan, Sukin, Hopkinson, Brian R.

2006

Overview

Purpose: To investigate the theoretical forces involved in and the nature of fixation between the modular components of a variety of aortic stent-grafts. Methods: An in vitro study of 6 aortic stent-grafts was performed using a tensometer. The modular stent-graft components were distracted until the iliac limb was completely separated from the main body. Tests were repeated at least 6 times for each stent-graft. Results: The maximum pullout force was 36.0 N using the Fortron stent-graft, which resulted in stent-graft disintegration. The maximum median forces of the other stent-grafts were 23.7 N (19.9–31.2) for the Aorfix, 7.3 N (6.9–7.6) for the AneuRx, 7.0 N (6.8–7.1) for the Zenith BiFab, 5.4 N (5.0–6.5) for the Talent, and 2.4 N (2.2–2.4) for the Vanguard II Conclusion: The results of this in vitro study suggest that current forms of iliac limb fixation in modular aortic stent-grafts are adequate provided the components are deployed with sufficient overlap. However, for many of the stent-grafts tested, the safety margin was small.

• Publisher: SAGE Publications,Allen Press Inc
• Subject: Aortic Aneurysm - surgery / Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Iliac Artery - surgery / Models, Cardiovascular / Prosthesis Design / Stents - classification / Tensile Strength