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Dissectometer - a new device for tensile strength testing of the vascular wall

Abstract Objectives: The underlying mechanisms leading to aortic dissection are poorly understood. The present paper describes a unique device for aortic wall testing during open heart surgery which allows to directly predict the risk of aortic dissection. Material and methods: Samples of the aortic wall were taken during surgery of the aortic valve and ascending aorta in 35 patients. Disruption of the samples was performed by using the dissectometer (patent pending). The output signal of the actuator was visualized by a “tensile strain curve”. Seven destinctive curve parameters were compared by parametric or nonparametric evaluation with regard to the results of the normality test. Results: Variations of all seven parameters in each patient differed not significantly; however, significant differences could be observed between the 35 patients. All parameters proved to be consistent and reproducible intra-individually. Histological analysis showed the integrity of the surface and localization of dissection in the external layer of tunica media. Conclusions: The dissectometer proved to be a suitable device to predict aortic wall consistence intraoperatively. Statistical analysis confirmed that a single sample of aorta is sufficient for assessment of aortic wall quality. A valid statistical discrimination between “healthy” and pathological aortas could only be assumed by generation of a large database of patients.