The Choice of Vascular Implants in Accordance with Age-Related Vessel Changes

Abstract

Background Today, one of the problems of modern society in the health are the high rates of mortality from cardiovascular disease.Aim of study Study of physico-mechanical properties of the vascular implants and aortic wall to support an adequate choice of the plastic material when performing reconstructive surgeries in patients of various age groups.Material and methods As an object of study, sections of the anterior wall of the thoracic and abdominal aorta were taken from 30 corpses. Study groups: Group 1 - from 33 to 60 years, Group 2 - from 60 to 92 years. We also evaluated the physical and mechanical properties (finite length, plastic strain ratio, tensileuniaxial load (longitudinal)) of the three vascular implants made of polyethylene terephthalate and polytetrafluoroethylene. Kruskal–Wallis H test was used to determine the significance of differences.Results The finite length of the aortic wall varies slightly in the study groups, while plastic strain rate of the abdominal aorta in Group 1 was 1.3 times higher than that in the chest. When assessing physical and mechanical properties of thoracic and abdominal aorta, values of “finite length” (1.4 times) and “plastic strain ratio” (1.5 times) were higher in Group 1, and the value of the tensile load indicator is higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (1.47 times). The tensile load of the thoracic aorta in Group 1 is 14 H and 27 H lower than the samples of Groups 1 and 3, respectively, but 1.6 times higher than the sample of Group 2. The tensile load of the abdominal aorta of Group 1 is 13 H higher compared to the sample of Group 1 and twice higher compared to the sample of Group 2. The study Group 2 values of tensile load for thoracic aorta are 1.3 times, 2.4 times and 1.16 times higher than respective implant values (sample 1, 2 and 3, respectively).Conclusion We used samples of Group 3 vascular implants for replacement of abdominal aorta and Group 1 implants for thoracic aorta. In study Group 2 vascular implants of Group 3 may be used for abdominal and thoracic aorta replacement due to the proximity of the values of the evaluated characteristics.

Keywords

• aorta
• elasticity
• mechanical properties
• age
• prosthesis
• vascular implant
• reconstructive surgery