Growth changes in the thoracic aorta of the piglet following patch angioplasty
D. A. LaPatka, F. Realyvasquez, K. Burnett, R. M. Friedenberg, B. Chidester and A. B. Gazzaniga
Patch repair of the thoracic aorta using prosthetic graft material in
neonates and infants has been advocated, but long-term results have not
confirmed that the residual aorta grows. In this study five piglets had
portions of aortic tissue excised, ranging from 38% to 72% of the aortic
wall. Each pig underwent patch angioplasty repair of the thoracic aorta
with prosthetic graft material. Piglets achieved full growth at
approximately six months. Aortic catheterization and contrast angiography
were done in each animal before it was killed. Growth and histologic study
of the aorta was documented at postmortem examination. There were no blood
pressure gradients at rest or with isoproterenol hydrochloride
(Isuprel)-epinephrine challenge in four of the five piglets. In one animal
that underwent a 72% resection of the aortic circumference, a 20-mm
gradient was present at rest. It was concluded that the thoracic aorta in
piglets will grow adequately to allow patch grafting of up to 70% of the
aortic circumference.