Objective: To investigate the feasibility of our self made inferior vena cave (IVC) stent.
Methods: Self-expanding, stainless steel, Z-shaped stents were deployed in the IVC of 14 dogs. They were randomly divided into four groups, four dogs in the first three groups, and 2 in the fourth group. IVC specimens were taken at 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks following stent deployment. No anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy was given.
Results: All stents were widely stretched out and so was the vessel lumen. No thrombus was present and the patency was 100% in all groups. The stents were completely covered by neointima 2 weeks after stent deployment. The neointimal thickness varied significantly: the thinnest at 2 weeks, the thickest at 4 weeks and becoming thinner at 8 weeks and stable until 16 weeks. The inflammatory reaction was gradually reduced. Under scanning electronic microscopy, the neointima was covered by a layer of endothelial cells 2 weeks following stenting, which were irregularly shaped and aligned. The cells became slender, spindle-shaped and aligned parallel to the direction of bolld flow 4 weeks afterwards.
Conclusion: Experimental study indicated that our self-expanding IVC stent was feasible for clinical application.