HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF ENDOLUMINAL STENT GRAFTING IN THE DESCENDING AORTA IN A SHEEP MODEL

: Experiments were designed to examine the wound healing characteristics at the aorta-endograft interface. Thoracic aneurysms were induced in sheep and excluded by endovascular placement of a selfexpanding stent graft (Corvita Endovascular Graft). After a follow-up of 1, 4, or 12 weeks sheep were sacrificed and the corresponding segments of the aorta were subjected to histological examinations. Histomorphological evaluation of all groups underlined sufficient exclusion of lesions of the aortic wall by endovascular grafting. There was no evidence of proximal or distal leakage, graft dislocation or migration. The results appeared to be evidence that the endoluminal stent graft may be incorporated by the host aortic tissue.