Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
05:31
Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement from Autologous Pericardium with a Self-Expandable Nitinol Stent in an Adult Sheep Model
Published on: June 8, 2022
Recellularization of aortic valves in pigs.
Jesper Langhoff Honge1, Jonas Funder, Erik Hansen
1Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark.
Summary
Deoxycholic acid (DOA)-treated porcine heart valves showed superior recellularization and reduced calcification compared to glutaraldehyde-treated valves in a pig aortic implant study. These findings suggest DOA treatment enhances valve tissue integration and durability.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Decellularized porcine heart valves treated with deoxycholic acid (DOA) show promise for recellularization and lack of calcification.
- Previous studies demonstrated success in the pulmonary position in sheep.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare recellularization and calcification of stented DOA-treated heart valves versus conventional stented glutaraldehyde-treated valves.
- To evaluate valve performance in the aortic position in juvenile pigs over 6 months.
Main Methods:
- Implantation of 12 DOA-treated and 15 glutaraldehyde-treated valves into the aortic position of pigs.
- Exploration and examination of valves after 6 months, including gross pathology, high-resolution X-ray, and histology.
Main Results:
- DOA valves exhibited excellent function with minimal thrombosis; glutaraldehyde valves showed varying degrees of thrombosis.
- Absence of cusp calcification in DOA valves versus severe calcification in glutaraldehyde valves.
- Significant endothelial and fibroblast recellularization observed in DOA valves, but not in glutaraldehyde valves; fewer inflammatory cells in DOA valves.
Conclusions:
- DOA-treated heart valves demonstrate enhanced recellularization and reduced calcification compared to glutaraldehyde-treated valves in the aortic position.
- DOA treatment promotes tissue integration and reduces adverse calcification, suggesting improved long-term valve performance.
- Endothelial and fibroblast recellularization of cusps was exclusively observed in DOA-treated valves, indicating superior biocompatibility.
