The implantation into the arterial lumen of a stent-graft has repercussions in the metabolism of the different layers of the arterial wall. The authors conducted an experimental study with the purpose of evaluating the mechanical repercussions of an endoprosthesis into the arterial wall in normal and atheromatous animals.
Methods: The main group of animals was divided in two subgroups, the first with atheromatous induction and the second without treatment. Each subgroup was subdivided in two groups, a group with a simulated operation and the other with an endoprosthesis placed into the thoracic aorta. One half of the animals was evaluated at one month and the remaining at three months, with removal of the thoracic aorta. The animals were analyzed with electronics methods to assess the elasticity of the thoracic aorta.
Results: The study found that ePTFE endoprosthetic grafts placed in atherosclerotic animals increased the intimal hyperplasia and wall alterations compared with the control group and the group with implantation in normal animals but this group showed less alterations of atherosclerosis than the group without endoprosthetic grafts.
Discussion: Different factors may cause reactive changes in the arterial wall leading to atheromatosis in arteries with endoprosthesis implantation, but the lipid factor in induction of atheromatosis increases the possibility of alteration of the different layers of the arterial wall. The endoprosthesis implantation is an important factor for the development of the mechanical changes in the arterial wall.