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Updated: May 4, 2026
A Training and Testing System for Performing Vascular Reconstruction In Vitro
Published on: October 26, 2019
Postmortem circulation: a new model for testing endovascular devices and training clinicians in their use
Christine Chevallier1, Wouter Willaert, Emilia Kawa
1Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland; University Center of Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Postmortem circulation, a technique that mimics living conditions, enables effective testing of medical devices like aortic valves on cadavers. This method improves implantation techniques and allows for navigation around blockages, enhancing pre-clinical device evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Device Development
- Cardiovascular Research
- Anatomical Studies
Background:
- Developing new medical devices, including aortic valves, necessitates extensive animal studies and cadaver training before patient use.
- Postmortem circulation techniques allow for reperfusion of the vascular system in deceased individuals, similar to living subjects.
- Recent advancements include specific materials for human body reperfusion, enhancing postmortem investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of postmortem circulation, mimicking in vivo conditions, for testing medical devices on cadavers.
- To assess the feasibility of delivering and implanting an aortic valve using minimally invasive techniques in a postmortem setting.
Main Methods:
- Established postmortem circulation in eight cadavers to simulate in vivo conditions.
- Utilized mobile fluoroscopy and percutaneous catheterization for minimally invasive aortic valve delivery.
- Performed post-implantation extraction of the heart and major vessels for verification.
Main Results:
- Postmortem circulation was crucial for successful material delivery and technique refinement in several cases.
- The technique facilitated bypassing arteriosclerotic stenosis, which would be unachievable without perfusion.
- Demonstrated successful implantation of an aortic valve using minimally invasive methods in a postmortem model.
Conclusions:
- Postmortem circulation, imitating in vivo conditions, is a valuable tool for testing new medical devices on cadavers.
- This technique enhances the ability to practice and improve implantation procedures for devices like aortic valves.
- The reperfusion method shows significant potential for pre-clinical evaluation of medical devices intended for live patients.
