Fresh-wet storage accelerates aortic homograft calcification

The studies were focused on the influence of the fresh-wet storage procedure on aortic valve homograft (AVH) mineralization. Thirty-four aortic valves excised at autopsy were investigated. The cusps were divided into halves, the first one was used as a control while the second half was stored in Morgan, Morton, and Parker's Medium 199 supplemented with an antibiotic mixture at 4 degrees C for 28 days. The elemental compositions of the samples were determined by the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence method. The Ca/P ratio and Ca concentration was used as markers of the mineralization development. It was found that the AVH mineralization was accelerated by the applied fresh-wet storage procedure. The aggravation of the AVH mineralization was correlated with the Ca content before storage especially in case of old donors. For donors older than 40 years an increase of Ca concentrations by approximately 40% was observed. To limit AVH mineralization due to fresh-wet storage, age of donors should not exceed approximately 40 years. Another method to reduce AVH mineralization relies on a modification of the medium commonly applied in the fresh-wet storage procedure, and research are ongoing.