Fast method for the estimation of heart valve leaflet viability

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Tissue Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Assessing heart valve viability is critical for preparing implantable biological valves.
• Viable tissues are suitable for cryoprotection, while non-viable tissues require cross-linking.
• Current cell viability assessment methods need to be rapid, simple, easy, and low-cost.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid, simple, and cost-effective method for assessing heart valve cell viability.
• To differentiate between viable and damaged cells in biological valve tissues.
• To aid in the routine evaluation of cadaveric valve homografts.

Main Methods:

• A simultaneous fluorescent staining technique was employed using fluorescein diacetate (living cells) and propidium iodide (damaged cells).
• The method was tested on swine valve leaflet fragments subjected to different ischemic times (below and above 3 hours).
• Supravital staining was performed using a single solution containing both fluorescent dyes.

Main Results:

• Short ischemic time (below 3 hours) valves showed predominantly green fluorescence, indicating living cells.
• Longer ischemic time (over 3 hours) valves exhibited predominantly red fluorescence, indicating damaged cells.
• The simultaneous staining allowed clear differentiation of cell viability.

Conclusions:

• The developed one-step supravital staining method is rapid and simple.
• This method effectively differentiates the viability of valve cells.
• It holds significant value for the routine evaluation of cadaveric valve homografts.