Related Experiment Videos
Porcine aortic valve bioprostheses: morphologic and functional considerations
1Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of Science and Technology, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD 20852.
Journal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants
|December 10, 1991
Summary
Porcine aortic valve (PAV) xenografts are common bioprosthetic heart valves. Glutaraldehyde crosslinking reduces antigenicity but impacts tissue viability, limiting long-term performance of these replacement valves.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Porcine aortic valve (PAV) xenografts are widely used bioprosthetic (BP) valves for heart valve replacement.
- Manufacturing involves glutaraldehyde crosslinking (<1%) to reduce antigenicity and degradation but eliminates cell viability.
- Primary tissue failure remains a limitation in the long-term performance of xenograft heart valves.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the morphologic and functional properties of native aortic valves.
- To examine the effects of tissue processing on PAV structure and function.
- To understand factors limiting the durability of bioprosthetic heart valves.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of native aortic valve properties.
- Analysis of tissue harvesting and fixation techniques.
- Evaluation of anticalcification treatments and mounting procedures.
Main Results:
- Crosslinking reduces antigenicity and enzymatic degradation.
- Crosslinking leads to loss of cell viability in xenograft tissues.
- Tissue processing significantly impacts PAV structure and function.
Conclusions:
- Despite manufacturing improvements, primary tissue failure limits bioprosthetic valve longevity.
- Further research is needed to enhance the durability of PAV xenografts.
- Understanding tissue processing effects is crucial for improving bioprosthetic heart valve design.