- Department / Institute
- Department for Vascular Surgery
- Subject area
- Aorta, Endovascular Aortic surgery
- Name of supervisor
- Prof. Dr. Nikolaos Tsilimparis, Jan Stana PhD
- Number of open positions
- 1
- Project title
- "In vitro" evaluation of the degree of optimal oversizing of aortic stent-grafts in bovine aorta in aortic procedures
- Language requirements
- Fluency in English
- Academic requirements
- 4-year Bachelor's plus Master's degree; preferably clinical experience in vascular surgery
- Study model
- Full doctoral study model: 36 months
Project description
Study rationale: The optimal oversizing percentage of endografts for treatment of aortic pathologies is unknown, with recommendations ranging from 0-30% depending on the type of pathology, stentgraft design, and physician preference. This is becoming increasingly interesting in proximal landing zones in the ascending aorta, after previous open repair.
Study objectives: The aim of this study was to create an "in-vitro" model for mechanical testing of different percentages of oversizing, and subsequently, to determine the optimal oversizing percentage of aortic endografts deployed in bovine graft landing areas.
Study design and plan:
- Experimental “in vitro” study
- Objective: “in vitro” evaluation of the optimal percentage of oversizing when landing an aortic stent in a bovine aorta.
- Thoracic aortic endoprosthesis with different degrees of oversizing will be deployed inside on the bench in bovine aortas, observing the “in vitro” behavior according to the percentage of oversizing.
- To simulate "real life" conditions, in a second, 3D models of different aortic anatomies will be made. A bovine aorta will be sutured on to the 3D models, followed by deployment of the aortic stent-grafts inside these allowing for conformability testing. In a third stage, flow analysis of these models will be performed.
- Primary Endpoints: degree of complications of the proximal landing zone
Endoleaks; Kinks; Infolding; Gutters - Secondary Endpoints: Conformability of the stent-grafts with the bovine aorta; physical/mechanical response of the bovine aorta to the degree of oversizing