Vein graft-coated stents for endovascular occlusion of canine experimental arteriovenous fistulae.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate different vein graft-coated stent systems in the endovascular treatment of experimental arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) in a canine model.


METHODS
Bilateral carotid-to-external jugular vein AVF were created. Two balloon-expandable tantalum stents (Strecker stent), two self-expanding nitinol stents (Strecker stent), and one stainless-steel stent (Wallstent) were coated with autologous vein grafts and placed using a transfemoral approach. Angiography was performed immediately after stent placement and at week 1 and 3, as well as at months 3, 6, and 9. All stents were removed and underwent histologic examination.


RESULTS
Occlusion of the AVF succeeded with the Wallstent and both tantalum stents. The nitinol stents were misplaced, maintaining the AVF. One undersized tantalum stent and the Wallstent were occluded after 3 weeks. One nitinol stent was occluded at 3 months, whereas the two remaining stents were patent during the whole observation period. No inflammatory tissue response was seen, and no host-versus-graft reaction was present.


CONCLUSIONS
Preparation and implantation of vein graft-coated stents, especially in the case of self-expanding stent systems, is cumbersome. This restricts the common use of such a coating, which shows an excellent biocompatibility. Vein graft-coated stents might be of use in infected endangered vessels.
Schellhammer
F
F
Department of Radiology, University of Cologne, Köln, Germany.
Wahkloo
A K
AK
Nagursky
H
H
Schumacher
M
M
D000497:Alloys; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000818:Animals; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011859:Radiography; D013193:Stainless Steel; D015607:Stents; D013635:Tantalum; D013997:Time Factors
D000497:Alloys; D013193:Stainless Steel; C013616:nitinol; D013635:Tantalum