A Study on the Effects of Struts of Z-Shaped Stent-Grafts on Radial Forces

Abstract

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) techniques have been widely used for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). EVAR is associated with lower postoperative morbidity and mortality than traditional surgical procedure to treat AAA [1]. However, during the patient’s follow-up, postoperative complications may occur and secondary interventions are required [2]. Stent-grafts fixation in the vessel affects the success of endovascular aneurysm repair. Researches indicate that insufficient stent-graft radial force is attributed to post-surgery complications, such as prosthesis migration and endoleak type I [3, 4]. Endoleak type I happens when there is not a complete contact between stent graft rings and vessel wall. A great radial force can prevent full obturation in the landing zone. The distal endograft fixation also has a great influence on proximal endograft migration after EVAR [5]. Therefore the radial force of the stent plays a significant role. Single stent-graft ring comprise a series of expandable Z-shaped structural elements (known as “struts”). Currently, there are series of Z-shaped stent-grafts on the market and the struts number ranges from 5 to 12. This work intends to analyze the influence of stent-graft struts number on the radial force. Finite-element analysis (FEA) and experimental method are used.