title: Long-term resistance to fracture and/or corrosion of the nitinol wires of the talent stent-graft: observations from a series of explanted devices.
abstract: The biodurability of the Nitinol wires used in stent-grafts retrieved from reoperations and autopsy was analyzed to assess the possible causes of fracture and/or corrosion of the stents. The Nitinol wires of six explanted devices presented a corrosion-free surface after in vivo service. The drawing lines in the control wires were still present, but neither burrs nor flakes were observed. Pits and crevices were rare, but some shallow ones were present. Some abrasions of the surfaces of the Nitinol wires were also observed. The chemical composition of the explanted devices showed the presence of organic contamination that covered the thick layer of titanium oxide before reaching the Nitinol itself. The durability of the Nitinol employed in the manufacture of the Talent stent-grafts was confirmed; the results of this study show the Nitinol to be resistant to corrosion. We have also concluded that the fractures of the Nitinol wires in two devices were unique adverse incidents caused by compression and bending related to the sharp angle of the Nitinol wires.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Textile Science and Technology of Ministry of Education and College of Textiles, Donghua University, Shanghai, PR. China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guidoin
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ze
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Royston
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paynter
authors.forename: Thien
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: How
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nutley
authors.forename: Dangheng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Yvan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Douville
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Samis
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dionne
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gilbert
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000497:Alloys; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D001344:Autopsy; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D003343:Corrosion; D020878:Device Removal; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015607:Stents
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; C013616:nitinol