[Experimental study of materials used for intra-atrial baffle for the Mustard operation]

An experimental model was developed to study the fate of prosthetic materials used for the construction of an intra-atrial baffle for the Mustard operation. Total atrial septa were replaced in sixteen puppies with autologous pericardium (n = 3), glutaraldehyde-preserved canine pericardium (n = 4), glutaraldehyde-preserved porcine pericardium (n = 3), EPTFE reinforced sheet (Gore-Tex sheet, n = 3) and EPTFE reinforced cardiovascular patch (Gore-Tex patch, n = 3). Septal replacement was performed under total circulatory arrest and surface induced deep hypothermia. All animals were sacrificed six months after the septal replacement. Pathological examination revealed that all septal grafts were well healed, completely covered by neoendothelium and had contracted to approximately 60% of their original size. There were no significant difference between groups. Histologic examination showed the good tissue adaptation of autologous pericardium and Gore-Tex patch materials. The thinnest layers of neoendothelium covered autologous pericardial baffle. Glutaraldehyde-preserved pericardium and Gore-Tex sheet did not adapt well to host atrial tissue. These materials were easily detached from their neoendothelial substrates. It was concluded that the autologous pericardium as well as a Gore-Tex patch may be superior to other prosthetic materials used for the construction of an intra-atrial baffle for the correction of transposition of the great arteries.