Abstract
A finite-element simulation of an end-to-end artery/graft anastomosis has been presented in this study to evaluate the distribution of compliance and stresses in the vicinity of the anastomosis due to any mismatch in compliance characteristics. The arterial wall was assumed to be made of linear isotropic elastic material in this simplified model and a static analysis was performed with a mean arterial pressure loading of the artery-graft model. Anastomoses to vein grafts and both Dacron and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts were studied. The result suggested the presence of a hypercompliant zone on the arterial side and a region of high tensile stresses in the wall on the graft side of the anastomosis. The presence of a hypercompliant zone has been reported from previous in vivo studies. The hypercompliance was larger with Dacron and PTFE grafts compared with that with the vein graft. However, larger tensile stresses were present in the wall of the vein graft compared with the synthetic grafts. The analysis further showed that increasing the diameter of the graft compared with the host artery to increase flow through the implant will result in a significant increase in the hypercompliance on the arterial side. Such simulation studies may prove valuable in studying the effects of compliance mismatch and suggest ways to improve the design of small diameter vascular grafts.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abbott, W. M. andBouchier-Hayes, J. (1978) The role of mechanical properties in graft design. InGraft materials in vascular surgery.Dardik H. (Ed.), Year Book Medical Publishers, Chicago, 59–78.
Burton, A. C., (1971)Physiology and biophysics of the circulation. Year Book Medical Publishers, Chicago
Deweese, J. A. (1985) Anastomotic neointimal fibrous hyperplasia. InComplications in vascular surgery, 2nd edn.Bernard, V. M. andTowne, J. B. (Eds.), Grune & Stratton, Orlando, Florida, 157–170.
Gaylis, H. (1981) Pathogenesis of anastomotic aneurysms.Surg.,90, 509–515.
Hasson, J. E., Megerman, J. andAbbott, W. A. (1984) Postsurgical changes in arterial compliance.Arch. Surg.,119, 788–791.
Hasson, J. E., Megerman, J. andAbbott, W. A. (1985) Increased compliance near vascular anastomosis.J. Vasc. Surg.,2, 419–423.
Hasson, J. E., Megerman, J. andAbbott, W. M. (1986) Suture technique and para-anastomotic compliance.Ibid.,,3, 591–598.
Kidson, I. G. (1983) The effect of wall mechanical properties on patency of arterial grafts.Ann. R. Coll. Surg. of England,65, 24–29.
Kinley, C. E. andMarble, A. E. (1980) Compliance: a continuing problem with vascular grafts.J. Cardiovasc. Surg.,21, 163–170.
Kuchar, N. R. andOstrach, S. (1966) Flow in the entrance regions of circular elastic tubes. Biomed. Fluid Mech. Symp. ASME, New York, 45–69.
Szilagyi, D. E., Whitcomb, J. B., Schenker, W. andWaibel, P. (1960) The laws of fluid and arterial grafting.Surg.,47, 55–73.
Teodori, M. F., Rodgers, V. G. J., Brant, A. M., Borovetz, H. S., Webster, M. W., Steed, D. L. andPeitzman, A. B. (1986) Effect of compliance and diameter on stress at artificial anastomosis.Current Surg., Nov./Dec., 505–508.
Walden, R., L'Italien, G. J., Megerman, J. andAbbott, W. M. (1980) Matched elastic properties and successful arterial grafting.Arch. Surg.,115, 1166–1169.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chandran, K.B., Gao, D., Han, G. et al. Finite-element analysis of arterial anastomoses with vein, Dacron and PTFE graffs. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 30, 413–418 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02446179
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02446179