Effect of Stent-Graft Compliance on Endotension after EVAR

Purpose:To investigate whether, and to which extent, the type of graft has influence on the pressure in the aneurysm sac.Methods:The study consisted of a dynamic and a static experiment. In the dynamic experiment, a latex aneurysm was inserted into an in-vitro circulation model, with variable (80–180 mmHg) systemic systolic pressure and a pulse pressure of 40 mmHg. Seven types of devices were used to exclude the aneurysm: a latex reference graft, 3 stentless grafts made of different fabrics, and 3 different types of commercially produced stented grafts used for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The systolic and diastolic intra-aneurysm pressures (IAP) were measured, along with the pulse pressure. The mean IAP and pulse pressures were compared for each category of graft (stented/stentless) and for each graft. In the static experiments, the compliance of each graft and the latex aneurysm were determined by measuring the change in volume necessary to obtain a change in pressure. Furthermore, the IAP with ...