Development of Antithrombogenic ECM-Based Nanocomposite Heart Valve Leaflets

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cardiovascular Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Thrombogenicity in artificial heart valves leads to failure, often necessitating lifelong anticoagulation.
• Existing anticoagulant therapies may not fully prevent thrombotic events in artificial heart valves.
• Decellularized bovine pericardium offers a potential scaffold but requires enhanced antithrombogenic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer a heart valve construct with enhanced antithrombogenic properties and mechanical integrity.
• To combine decellularized bovine pericardium with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for improved performance.
• To evaluate the hemocompatibility and safety of the novel composite material.

Main Methods:

• Bovine pericardium was decellularized using freeze-thawing and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS).
• Decellularization efficiency was confirmed via histological and biochemical analyses.
• Composite tissues were fabricated by incorporating -COOH-modified MWCNTs, followed by characterization (ATR-FTIR, TGA, SEM, AFM) and hemocompatibility testing (platelet adhesion, clotting, hemolysis, cytotoxicity).

Main Results:

• The composite pericardial material exhibited superior mechanical and thermal stability compared to decellularized pericardium.
• Platelet adhesion was reduced by approximately 100%, indicating excellent antithrombogenic properties.
• The material demonstrated low coagulation kinetics and a hemolysis index within acceptable biomaterial limits, with no observed toxicity.

Conclusions:

• Combining decellularized bovine pericardium with MWCNTs creates a promising biomaterial for artificial heart valves.
• The developed composite material significantly enhances hemocompatibility and mechanical strength.
• This approach offers a potential solution to reduce thrombogenicity and improve the longevity of artificial heart valves.