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Protocol for Relative Hydrodynamic Assessment of Tri-leaflet Polymer Valves
Published on: October 18, 2013
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Early in vivo experience with tissue-engineered trileaflet heart valves
R Sodian1, S P Hoerstrup, J S Sperling
1Department of Cardiac Research, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Circulation
|November 18, 2000
Summary
Tissue-engineered heart valves made from polyhydroxyalkanoates show promising function in lamb pulmonary artery replacements. These biocompatible scaffolds support cell growth and integration, demonstrating potential for future cardiovascular applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Engineering
Background:
- Tissue engineering aims to create functional autologous tissues using biodegradable scaffolds and patient cells.
- Focus on developing tissue-engineered heart valves for transplantation.
- Study evaluates the in vivo performance of a trileaflet tissue-engineered heart valve in the pulmonary position.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and efficacy of implanting a whole trileaflet tissue-engineered heart valve in the pulmonary position in a lamb model.
- To evaluate the biocompatibility and functional performance of polyhydroxyalkanoate scaffolds seeded with autologous cells.
Main Methods:
- Constructed a trileaflet heart valve scaffold from porous polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA).
- Harvested, expanded, and seeded ovine carotid artery vascular cells onto the PHA scaffolds.
- Implanted the autologous cell-seeded heart valve constructs into the pulmonary artery position in lambs (n=4) using cardiopulmonary bypass.
- Evaluated explanted valves via histology, scanning electron microscopy, biochemical assays (collagen, DNA), and biomechanical testing.
Main Results:
- All lambs survived the procedure; no anticoagulation was required.
- Tissue-engineered valves exhibited minimal regurgitation and acceptable pressure gradients (<20 mm Hg).
- Macroscopic and SEM analysis revealed tissue coverage, absence of thrombus, and smooth flow surfaces.
- Histology showed organized fibrous tissue with glycosaminoglycans; collagen content increased significantly over 17 weeks.
- DNA assays confirmed comparable cell numbers, and no tissue formed in the acellular control.
Conclusions:
- Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) scaffolds can be successfully fabricated into functional tissue-engineered heart valves.
- Implantation in the pulmonary position in lambs demonstrated appropriate valve function for up to 120 days.
- These findings support the potential of PHA-based tissue-engineered heart valves for clinical applications.
