ABSTRACT
Objective To make a preliminary evaluation of the degradation of AZ31 bioabsorbable magnesium alloy stent implanted in the abdominal aorta of experimental rabbits.Methods Twelve AZ31 biodegradable magnesium alloy stents were separately deployed in the infrarenal abdominal aortas of twelve New Zealand white rabbits.Every three experimental rabbits were sacrificed each time at one,two,three and four months after the procedure of stenting.The stenting segment of the aortas were harvested,radiographod and sent for pathologic examination to observe the degradable performance of the stent.Results All animals survived form the operation in the scheduled follow-up period.Radiographically and pathologically,the stents were fully expanded with perfect shape one month after the procedure,and part of the stent struts began to be degraded and fractured in two months,resulting in the loss of its supporting function.Three months after the implantation most stents were corroded.and in four months all the stents become completely destroyed.The estimating time for producing complete degradation of AZ31 magnesium alloy stents in rabbit's aorta was 104.5 days.Conclusion AZ31 bioabsorbable magnesium alloy stents implanted in rabbit abdominal aorta will lose their radial force in two months.How to prolong the functioning time of the implanted stents is the next research target.