Two novel high performing composite PMMA-CaP cements for vertebroplasty: An ex vivo animal study

There is a growing body of the literature on new cement formulations that address the shortcomings of PMMA bone cements approved for use in vertebroplasty (VP) and balloon kyphoplasty (BKP). The present study is a contribution to these efforts by further characterization of two pre-mixed CaP filler-reinforced PMMA bone cements intended for VP; namely, PMMA-HA and PMMA-brushite cements. Each of these cements showed acceptable levels of various properties determined in porcine vertebral bodies. These properties included radiographic contrast, maximum exotherm temperature setting time, cement extravasation, stiffness change after fatigue loading, change of VB height after fracture following fatigue loading, and interdigitation. Each property value was comparable to or better than that for a PMMA bone cement approved for use in BKP. Thus, the results for the composite bone cements are promising.