Conformability of balloon-expandable stents to the carotid siphon: an in vitro study.
OBJECTIVE
Endovascular placement of coronary balloon-expandable stents in patients with recurrent cerebral ischemia has emerged as a treatment option for intracranial arterial occlusive disease. We have developed an in vitro model matching the tortuous curve of the carotid siphon that allows the assessment of apposition of stents to a curved vessel wall.


METHODS
Six types of balloon-expandable coronary stents were implanted in a silicone model of the carotid siphon. Digital radiographs and 3D rotational angiograms were obtained. Stent morphology was evaluated and the degree of apposition between stent and wall of the model was measured on a digital workstation.


RESULTS
All 6 stents showed lack of apposition between stent and the wall at the convexity of the anterior segment of the carotid siphon and the wall at the concavity at both extremities of the stent. In and around the curve, the modules of the stents did not expand completely to their nominal diameter and were distorted to an oval shape.


CONCLUSIONS
The tested coronary balloon-expandable stents did not completely conform to the vessel wall of the model of the carotid siphon and further development is needed to approach the goal of an "ideal intracranial stent."
Institute of Neuroradiology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
R
R
du Mesnil de Rochemont
B
B
Yan
F E
FE
Zanella
D A
DA
Rüfenacht
J
J
Berkefeld
D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000628:therapy*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D012828:Silicones; D015607:Stents
D012828:Silicones