Objective To study the process of stent graft implantation into the aortic dissection model by finite element simulation, calculate the stress distribution at different locations of the aorta after the implantation, and analyze the biomechanical mechanism of new lesions for implantation of stent grafts. Methods Based on the computed tomography angiography (CTA) image data of the aorta, a three-dimensional geometric model of patient-specific aortic dissection was established with image segmentation and reconstruction. The wall thickness and material properties of the aortic dissection of the computational models were set according to the literature data. Stent grafting rings with different geometric parameters were designed in a computer-aided design (CAD) software, and the procedure of stent graft implantation was simulated by a finite element analysis software. Results When the implanted stent graft reached a steady-state, the maximum Von Mises stress of the aorta was markedly related to the position of the stent graft and located at the bare stent or small nickel-titanium alloy ring. In the long-term, this force might cause a new tear to appear at the treated aorta. Conclusions The position of the stent graft had a weak effect on the distribution of the maximum Von Mises stress of the aorta, but there was an obvious effect on the Von Mises stress of the aorta. These research outcomes may provide significant guidance for selecting the position of the stent graft.

Numerical simulation of stent deployment is very important to the surgical planning and risk assess of the interventional treatment for the cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Our group developed a framework to deploy the braided stent and the stent graft virtually by finite element simulation. By using the framework, the whole process of the deployment of the flow diverter to treat a cerebral aneurysm was simulated, and the deformation of the parent artery and the distributions of the stress in the parent artery wall were investigated. The results provided some information to improve the intervention of cerebral aneurysm and optimize the design of the flow diverter. Furthermore, the whole process of the deployment of the stent graft to treat an aortic dissection was simulated, and the distributions of the stress in the aortic wall were investigated when the different oversize ratio of the stent graft was selected. The simulation results proved that the maximum stress located at the position where the bare metal ring touched the artery wall. The results also can be applied to improve the intervention of the aortic dissection and the design of the stent graft.
Arteries ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Computer Simulation ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Prosthesis Design ; Stents