Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Heart Valves

Heart Valves

The human heart is a complex organ with an intricate system of valves that regulate blood flow. There are two main types of valves: atrioventricular (AV) valves and semilunar valves.
The AV valves prevent the backflow of blood from the ventricles to the atria during ventricular contraction. These valves function with the assistance of the chordae tendineae and papillary muscles. When the ventricles are relaxed, the chordae tendineae are slack, allowing blood to flow from the atria into the...

Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction

Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction

IntroductionThe mitral valve, one of the heart's four valves, regulates blood flow. These valves have flaps that open and close to direct blood properly through the heart and body. During each heartbeat, the flaps open for blood to pass through and seal shut to prevent backflow. Specifically, the mitral valve opens to allow blood flow from the heart's upper left chamber to the lower left chamber. It then closes securely as the lower left chamber contracts to pump blood to the body, preventing...

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Shear Stress Initiates Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Endocardial Endothelial Cells.

Annals of biomedical engineering·2026

Same author

Uncovering the Structural Effects of Radiofrequency Ablation on the Papillary Muscle-Chordae Tendineae Junction.

Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE·2025

Same author

Shear-Induced Macrophage Secretome Promotes Endothelial Permeability.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025

Same author

Post-TEVAR Type A Aortic Dissection: Insights and Future Directions.

Cardiovascular drugs and therapy·2025

Same author

Shear Stress Induces a Time-Dependent Inflammatory Response in Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages.

Annals of biomedical engineering·2024

Same author

A novel system to culture human intestinal organoids under physiological oxygen content to study microbial-host interaction.

PloS one·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Culturing Mouse Cardiac Valves in the Miniature Tissue Culture System

Culturing Mouse Cardiac Valves in the Miniature Tissue Culture System

Published on: October 19, 2015

Age-related structural changes in cardiac valves: implications for tissue-engineered repairs.

Janet E Barzilla¹, Tracy L Blevins, K Jane Grande-Allen

¹Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA.

The American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology

|September 8, 2006

Summary

Tissue-engineered heart valves (TEHVs) offer benefits for elderly patients, but research must address unique challenges. Tailored approaches are needed for scaffolds, cell sources, and conditioning to meet the specific needs of this population.

More Related Videos

Combining 3D-Printing and Electrospinning to Manufacture Biomimetic Heart Valve Leaflets

Combining 3D-Printing and Electrospinning to Manufacture Biomimetic Heart Valve Leaflets

Published on: March 23, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Culturing Mouse Cardiac Valves in the Miniature Tissue Culture System

Culturing Mouse Cardiac Valves in the Miniature Tissue Culture System

Published on: October 19, 2015

Combining 3D-Printing and Electrospinning to Manufacture Biomimetic Heart Valve Leaflets

Combining 3D-Printing and Electrospinning to Manufacture Biomimetic Heart Valve Leaflets

Published on: March 23, 2022

Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Regenerative Medicine
Cardiovascular Research

Background:

Elderly patients represent a growing demographic with significant cardiovascular disease burden.
Current tissue-engineered heart valve (TEHV) research inadequately addresses the specific physiological and medical needs of the elderly population.
Aging is associated with physiological changes impacting TEHV development, including altered cell behavior and tissue characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the unmet needs and challenges in developing TEHVs for elderly patients.
To identify key considerations for designing TEHVs tailored to the elderly demographic.
To explore potential solutions for scaffold selection, cell sourcing, and conditioning strategies.

Main Methods:

Review of existing TEHV research and literature concerning aging physiology.
Analysis of challenges posed by age-related factors such as higher blood pressure, aortic root characteristics, and medication effects.
Evaluation of potential scaffold materials (biodegradable polymers, natural scaffolds) and non-autologous cell sources.
Discussion of mechanical and biological conditioning methods relevant to elderly patient physiology.

Main Results:

Elderly patients require TEHVs designed for higher pressures and potentially friable or calcified aortic roots.
Senescent cells in older donors necessitate non-autologous cell sources for TEHV development.
Decellularized allografts may lack durability; biodegradable scaffolds present promising alternatives.
Concomitant medications can influence TEHV biology, requiring careful consideration.

Conclusions:

Developing TEHVs for the elderly necessitates a personalized approach, moving beyond current research paradigms.
Careful selection of cell sources, scaffolds, and conditioning methods is crucial for TEHV success in older adults.
Future TEHV research must prioritize the unique physiological, medical, and surgical requirements of the geriatric population.