Clinical results of implanted tissue engineered heart valves

Since the first heterotopic implantation of a biological heart valve in 1955 by Murray, bioprostheses have been steadily improved. For allografts different methods have been evaluated and modified to stabilize and preserve the available tissue. Xenografts were fixed to cross-link the connective tissue as well as prevent immunogenic reactions. Nevertheless, gluteraldehyde fixation leads to structural deterioration, which could only be partially reduced by different kinds of anti-mineralization treatment. Due to preservation and fixation, allografts and xenografts become non-viable bioprostheses with a lack of remodelling, regeneration and growth. Tissue engineering is a possible key to overcome these disadvantages as it will provide living tissue with remodelling, regeneration and growth potential. This overview will look at the key points to provide such tissue engineered heart valves by creating an appropriate scaffold where cells can grow, either in vitro or in vivo and remodel a neo-scaffold which will lead to a functional autologous heart valve, and show initial clinical results.