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PIV Analysis of Haemodynamics Distal to the Frozen Elephant Trunk Stent Surrogate

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Abstract

Purpose

The Frozen Elephant Trunk (FET) stent is a hybrid endovascular device that may be implemented in the event of an aneurysm or aortic dissection of the aortic arch or superior descending aorta. A Type 1B endoleak can lead to intrasaccular flow during systole and has been identified as a known failure of the FET stent graft. The purpose was to develop in-vitro modelling techniques to enable the investigation of the known failure.

Methods

A silicone aortic phantom and 3D printed surrogate stent graft were manufactured to investigate the haemodynamics of a Type 1B endoleak. Physiological pulsatile flow dynamics distal to the surrogate stent graft were investigated in-vitro using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV).

Results

PIV captured recirculation zones and an endoleak distal to the surrogate stent graft. The endoleak was developed at the peak of systole and sustained until the onset of diastole. The endoleak was asymmetric, indicating a potential variation in the phantom artery wall thickness or stent alignment. Recirculation was identified on the posterior dorsal line during late systole.

Conclusions

The identification of the Type 1B endoleak proved that in-vitro modelling can be used to investigate complex compliance changes and wall motions. The recirculation may indicate the potential for long term intimal layer inflammatory issues such as atherosclerosis. These results may aid future remediation techniques or stent design. Further development of the methods used in this experiment may assist with the future testing of stents prior to animal or human trial.

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Authors’ contributions

PNW, PDD and AK conceptualised the study. PNW, SGY, NK and MJ undertook the experiment, PNW, PDD, AK and MJ interpreted the outcomes, PNW drafted the paper and all authors edited it.

Funding

PNW and SGY were funded by the University of Canterbury doctoral scholar fund.

Availability of data and material

Raw and post-processed data can be made to interested parties via contact with the corresponding author.

Code availability

Software used in this study is commercially available from TSI Incorporated, 500 Cardigan Road, Shoreview, Minnesota 55126, USA.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no financial interest in the outcomes of this study.

Ethical approval and Consent to participate

All experimentation was undertaken in vitro, and there were no animal or human subjects.

Consent for publication

All authors agree to publish this article in CVET.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8041, New Zealand

    Petra N. Williamson, Paul D. Docherty, Sina G. Yazdi, Natalia Kabaliuk & Mark Jermy

  2. Institute of Technical Medicine, Furtwangen University, Campus Villingen-Schwenningen, Jakob-Kienzle Strasse 17, 78054, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany

    Paul D. Docherty

  3. Vascular, Endovascular & Renal Transplant Unit, Christchurch Hospital, Canterbury District Health Board, Riccarton Avenue, Christchurch, 8053, New Zealand

    Adib Khanafer

  4. Christchurch School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Adib Khanafer

Authors
  1. Petra N. Williamson
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Correspondence to Paul D. Docherty.

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Associate Editor Keefe B. Manning oversaw the review of this article.

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Williamson, P.N., Docherty, P.D., Yazdi, S.G. et al. PIV Analysis of Haemodynamics Distal to the Frozen Elephant Trunk Stent Surrogate. Cardiovasc Eng Tech 12, 373–386 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13239-021-00521-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13239-021-00521-2

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