Morphological changes in polyester prosthesis geometry after open aortic repair.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Biomaterials Science
• Medical Imaging Analysis

Background:

• Ascending aortic replacement often involves Dacron grafts.
• Understanding graft dimensional changes is vital for long-term patient outcomes.
• Native aorta mechanics differ significantly from synthetic graft behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the geometrical alterations of Dacron grafts after open surgical ascending aortic replacement.
• To quantify changes in graft diameter and length over time.
• To compare graft behavior to native aortic tissue.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of geometrical changes in Dacron grafts from 215 patients undergoing ascending aortic surgery.
• Utilized a linear mixed effects model for long-term postoperative follow-up data.
• Data collected between February 2010 and December 2020.

Main Results:

• Proximal graft diameter increased significantly (0.251 cm/year, p < 0.001).
• Distal graft diameter remained stable (0.019 cm/year, p = 0.366).
• Graft length decreased significantly (-0.835 cm/year, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Dacron grafts exhibit decreased length and increased proximal diameter, unlike the native aorta.
• These dimensional shifts necessitate consideration during graft selection and implantation.
• Awareness of graft remodeling is essential for planning subsequent aortic interventions.