Textile Aging Characterization on New Generations of Explanted Commercial Endoprostheses: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Various aging-related phenomena on commercial textile EPs were identified and classified. Main damaging mechanisms were related to compression and abrasion leading to tears and holes in the fabric and rupture of stitches.

Explanted Vascular and Endovascular Graft Analysis: Where Do We Stand and What Should We Do?

“…Then, metallic ions were released into the surrounding tissues, altering the local tissue environment and generating further degradation. 28,29 The global conclusion of first generation explanted endograft analysis was that continuous movements as a result of the grafted aorta and blood pressure imposed permanent stress on the stent frame and polyester fabrics, resulting in frame dislocation of middle body rings, and that an optimal choice of a woven textile was mandatory for the construction of an endograft, as the textile properties, such as saturation index, may contribute to the macroscopic lesions observed on explanted devices. 26,27 Based on these conclusions, ePTFE was introduced as endograft material, combined with a thin, non-permeable layer of fluorinated ethylene propylene, all of which was attached to a nitinol stent frame, in order to reduce stent/ fabric degradation.…”

“…8). 29 This classification considered the fabric, the ligatures, and the stents. Concerning the fabric, two main types of damages were observed: compression and abrasion.…”

“…Moreover, the interaction between stent segments and fabric could even occur before implantation and could be described as predamaging as it promotes the development of subsequent holes and tears. 29,32 One might expect that anatomical factors, such as very tortuous iliac arteries, could also lead to compression damage. The second observed damage was related to the cyclical movement and the in vivo environment, leading to abrasion.…”

Commentary on “A Feasibility Study of a New Unibody Branched Stent Graft Applied to Reconstruct the Canine Aortic Arch”

“…Bussmann et al published results on textile ageing characteristics of explanted thoracic and abdominal stentgrafts. 5 They demonstrated that more than 40% of the specimens presented compression damage because of kinking of the fabric and indentation of stitches and stent segments on the fabric surface. Such damage can lead to further lesions resulting from tears and holes in the fabric.…”

‘Keep in Mind an Endograft is a Spring!’: Re. ‘Aorto-enteric Fistula After Endovascular Repair for Behcet's Disease Patient: a Case Report’

“…Previous analyses of explanted endografts has shown how such kinking could create high stresses with major endograft damage. 3 Consequently, this excessive oversizing resulted in a more acute drop in compliance, which led to endograft migration through fluid-endograft interactions. 4 Unfortunately, the explanted endograft did not undergo specific observational, mechanical, and chemical evaluations.…”