Expansible Ascending Aortic Graft

This technology offers an expansible ascending aortic graft that allows for gradual expansion in systole and recoil in diastole, reducing blow flow turbulence and low-flow areas.
 

Background:

Patients who suffer from senile aortic valve stenosis often require aortic valve replacement. In many patients, concomitant aneurysmal disease requires the removal and replacement of the ascending aorta. Currently, the ascending aorta is often replaced with vascular grafts made of Dacron or poly-tetra-fluro-ethylene (PTFE). Despite their flexibility, these grafts have minimal compliance, leading to blood flow turbulence and low flow areas. Because the ascending aorta is responsible for roughly 50% of the impedance of the entire aorta, loss of the aortic wall expansion increases the cardiac workload. Therefore, an opportunity exists to develop a modified prosthetic that can improve cardiac function and reduce cardiac workload.
 

Applications:

• Utility for patients who are undergoing aortic valve replacement and require replacement of the ascending aorta due to concomitant aneurysmal disease

Advantages:

• Allows the graft to expand in systole, and recoil in diastole, allowing for the absorption of roughly 25% of the left ventricular stroke volume
• The graft is long enough distally to accept a coronary bypass graft proximal anastomosis
• The graft ends can be trimmed to fit variations in size and geometry of the native aorta

Status: issued U.S. patent #10,426,593