Non-invasive biomechanical evaluation of implanted human cryopreserved arterial homografts: comparison with pre-implanted cryografts and arteries from human donors and recipients

Ann Biomed Eng. 2009 Jul;37(7):1273-86. doi: 10.1007/s10439-009-9693-2. Epub 2009 Apr 21.

Abstract

Native vessels-grafts biomechanical mismatch (BM) is related to graft failure. The BM could be reduced using human cryopreserved/defrosted arteries (cryografts), but post-thaw cryografts' recovery could be associated with an impaired biomechanical behavior. In vitro, we demonstrated that our cryopreservation methods do not affect arteries' biomechanics, but only post-implant studies would allow determining the cryografts' biomechanical performance.

Aim: To characterize the biomechanical properties of implanted cryografts, and to compare them with cryografts pre-implant, recipients' native arteries, and arteries from subjects with characteristics similar to those of the recipients and multiorgan donors (MOD) whose arteries were cryopreserved.

Methods: Native femoral arteries anastomosed to cryografts, implanted cryografts, and arteries from subjects, recipient-like and MOD-like, were studied. In vitro (pre-implant cryografts) and in vivo non-invasive studies were performed. Arterial pressure, diameter, and wall thickness were obtained to quantify local and regional biomechanical parameters, and to evaluate the arterial remodeling.

Conclusion: Implanted cryografts were remodeled, with an increased wall thickness, wall-to-lumen ratio, and wall cross-sectional area. The proximal-distal gradual transition in stiffness remained unchanged. Implanted cryografts were stiffer than MOD-like arteries, but more compliant than recipients' arteries. The cryografts-native arteries biomechanical differences were lesser than those described for venous grafts or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arteries / diagnostic imaging
  • Arteries / physiopathology*
  • Arteries / transplantation*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis*
  • Cryopreservation / methods*
  • Elastic Modulus / physiology
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques / methods*
  • Equipment Failure Analysis / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Tissue Donors