Side-to-side sutureless vascular anastomosis with magnets

Detlev Erdmann, Ranya Sweis, Christoph Heitmann, Koji Yasui, Kevin C. Olbrich, L. Scott Levin, A. Adam Sharkawy, Bruce Klitzman*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective Abbe and Payr introduced vascular techniques and devices to facilitate vessel anastomosis over a century ago. Obora published the idea of a sutureless vascular anastomosis with use of magnetic rings in 1978. The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of a new magnetic device to perform a side-to-side arteriovenous anastomosis in a dog model. Material and methods Male fox hounds (25 kg) were treated preoperatively and daily postoperatively with clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix) and aspirin. The femoral artery and vein were exposed unilaterally in 3 dogs and bilaterally in 4 dogs (n = 11 anastomoses). A 4-mm arteriotomy was performed, and 1 oval magnet 0.5 mm thick was inserted into the lumen of the artery and a second magnet was applied external to the artery, compressing and stabilizing the arterial wall to create a magnetic port. An identical venous magnetic port was created with another pair of oval magnets. When the 2 ports were allowed to approach each other, they self-aligned and magnetically coupled to complete the arteriovenous anastomosis. Patency was assessed for the first hour with direct observation, again after 9 weeks with duplex ultrasound scanning, and at 10 weeks under direct open observation. The anastomoses were explanted after 10 weeks. Hydrodynamic resistance was measured ex vivo on the final 8 anastomoses by measuring the pressure drop across an anastomosis with a known flow rate. Results After implantation, very high flow created visible turbulence and palpable vibration. All 11 anastomoses were patent under direct observation and palpation. Ten of 11 anastomoses were clearly patent on duplex scans, and patency of 1 anastomosis was questionable. Hydrodynamic resistance averaged 0.73 ± 0.33 mm Hg min/mL (mean ± SEM). Conclusions Vascular anastomoses performed with magnets demonstrated feasibility; exhibited 100% patency after 10 weeks in a dog arteriovenous shunt model; lacked apparent aneurysm or other potentially catastrophic failure; demonstrated remodeling of the vessel wall after several weeks to incorporate the magnets, making the magnetic force unnecessary; and warrants further study in vessels with different sizes, flow rates, and locations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)505-511
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Vascular Surgery
Volume40
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2004

Funding

This study was funded in part by Ventrica, Inc, Fremont, Calif.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Surgery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Side-to-side sutureless vascular anastomosis with magnets'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this