title: Dilatation of Vascular Prostheses in Ascending Aortic Position: A Long-Term Follow-Up Computed Tomography Study with Comparison of Different Measurement Methods.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term dilatation of Hemashield Gold and Hemashield Platinum vascular prostheses in ascending aortic position using different measurement methods to obtain precise results.
  
  
  
  Between 1999 and 2007, 73 patients with Stanford type A dissection received ascending aortic replacement with Hemashield Gold and Hemashield Platinum prostheses. Measurements were performed using multiplanar reconstruction mode of electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated, multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in strictly orthogonal cross-sectional planes. Different methods of measurement were compared and maximum dilatation was estimated for different time spans.
  
  
  
  Diameters calculated from the measured circumference showed a significant (p= 0.037) but clinically not relevant difference (0.1 mm) to the mean between the largest and the shortest cross-sectional diameter of the prosthesis. Dilatation after 24.2 ± 10.2 months was 8.5 ± 4.5%. Long-term dilatation after 91.8 ± 34 months amounted to 11.8 ± 4.2%.
  
  
  
  Based on ECG-gated MSCT images, the presented methods of measurement provided reliable results. Long-term analysis shows low dilatation rates for Hemashield prostheses, which therefore can be considered as safe from this point of view. Nevertheless, a maximal dilatation of 20% could be relevant in valve sparing root replacement. It remains unclear if a dilatation like this contributes to the formation of suture aneurysms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Marwan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamiko
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Endlich
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krämer
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Probst
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Welz
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schiller
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055424:Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome