Shape memory biodegradable elastomers are an emergent class of biomaterials well-suited for percutaneous cardiovascular repair requiring nonlinear elastic materials with facile handling. We have previously developed a chemically crosslinked shape memory elastomer, poly (glycerol dodecanedioate) (PGD), exhibiting tunable transition temperatures around body temperature (34-38 °C), exhibiting nonlinear elastic properties approximating cardiac tissues, and favorable degradation rates in vitro. Degree of tissue coverage, degradation and consequent changes in polymer thermomechanical properties, and inflammatory response in preclinical animal models are unknown material attributes required for translating this material into cardiovascular devices.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Soc Cardiovasc Angiogr Interv
April 2022
Background: Covered stents are used during congenital cardiac interventions to treat stenotic or injured vessels or to exclude unwanted vascular connections. The ability to postdilate a stented vessel to keep pace with somatic growth is critical in children. In this study, we aimed to compare performance of 2 brands of covered stents during serial dilations to demonstrate the threshold for stent fracture and polytetrafluoroethylene tear and define recoil and foreshortening characteristics.
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