[Artificial vascular grafts for thoracic aortic surgery].
Because extracorporeal circulation is used in thoracic aortic surgery, artificial vascular grafts that does not leak blood in the presence of heparin is required, and artificial vascular grafts covered with biological components are mostly used. They are prepared by soaking Dacron grafts in bovine collagen or gelatin, and they possess the following characteristics: 1) zero porosity, 2) no need for preclotting, and 3) knitted Dacron grafts can also be used. In recent years, various surgical materials have also been developed and clinically used ; grafts with a branch for revascularization of the aortic arch or the thoracoabdominal aorta, composite grafts for aortic root reconstruction, and Valsalva grafts. Recent advances in endovascular therapy have been remarkable, and various stent grafts have been developed and used worldwide. In Japan, Gore TAG (stent grafts for the thoracic aorta) was finally covered by insurance in July 2008 for the treatment of true aneurysms in the thoracic descending aorta. In Europe and USA, stent grafts with a branch are already being used clinically, while in Japan, a clinical study is being conducted on fenestrated stent grafts, and their indications for endovascular therapy may be expanded.
Obitsu
Yukio
Y
Depatment of Vascular Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D015607:Stents