Biomechanics of Failed Pulmonary Autografts Compared to Native Aortic Roots

Failed pulmonary autografts retained a nonlinear response to mechanical loading typical of healthy arterial tissue. Despite similar wall thickness between autografts and aorta, autograft stiffness in this patient population was significantly reduced compared with native aortic roots. We demonstrated that biomechanical remodeling was inadequate in these specimens to achieve native aortic mechanical properties, which may have resulted in progressive autograft root dilatation.