Physician-made pericardium stent graft as a potential endovascular alternative for infectious aortic disease - an ex-vivo proof-of-concept study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Benedikt Reutersberg - , University Hospital Zurich (Author)
  • Lorenz Meuli - , University Hospital Zurich (Author)
  • Alexander Zimmermann - , University Hospital Zurich (Author)
  • Albert Busch - , Department of Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden (Author)

Abstract

PURPOSE.: The treatment of infectious aortic disease is still challenging with open surgical debridement and reconstruction using biological, preferably autologous material, being the treatment of choice. However, these procedures are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Endovascular therapy is often considered a bridging method only, since the biologically inactive fabric of the covered stent grafts usually cannot be treated sufficiently with anti-infective agents in the event of a (obligate) consecutive secondary graft infection. This study aims to prove the feasibility of a physician-made pericardium stent graft ex-vivo.

TECHNIQUE.: A state-of-the-art TEVAR was modified by separating the fabric from the z-stents and suturing a hand-sewn bovine pericardium tube to the bare metal. Feasibility of preparation, re-sheathing, and delivery is demonstrated in an ex-vivo model.

CONCLUSION.: This first xenogeneic stent graft could be manufactured and deployed successfully. In the future this may provide a bridging alternative for high-risk patients with infected native aortic aneurysm or aortic fistulas, eventually followed by surgical or thoracoscopic/laparoscopic debridement. Further studies on simulators or animal models are needed to test the technique and investigate its long-term durability. Additionally, this study prompts reflection on whether materials currently used should be further developed to prevent graft infections.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)368504231221686
JournalScience progress
Volume107
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMedCentral PMC10777807
Scopus 85182087424
Mendeley 4fd9e8df-cc2b-3742-894f-075415fd3af2

Keywords

Keywords

  • Humans, Animals, Cattle, Stents, Commerce, Pericardium/surgery, Physicians, Aortic Diseases