Application of compression optical coherence elastography for characterization of human pericardium: A pilot study

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Tissue Biomechanics
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Compression Optical Coherence Elastography (C-OCE) offers high-resolution, spatially resolved elasticity characterization of thin biological tissues.
• Previous biomechanical data for human pericardium is limited and often contradictory, hindering clinical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply C-OCE for the first time to nondestructively characterize the biomechanics of human pericardium.
• To investigate the influence of chemo-mechanical treatments on pericardium biomechanical properties.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Compression Optical Coherence Elastography (C-OCE) to assess human pericardium samples.
• Analyzed nonlinear stress-strain relationships and tangent Young's modulus.
• Compared biomechanical properties of differently prepared pericardium samples, including those subjected to glutaraldehyde cross-linking.

Main Results:

• C-OCE successfully characterized human pericardium biomechanics, revealing significant differences between variously prepared samples.
• Pronounced variations in tangent Young's modulus were observed after glutaraldehyde treatment, influenced by sample preparation (e.g., over-stretching).
• Demonstrated the capability of C-OCE to detect subtle tissue damage affecting biomechanical properties.

Conclusions:

• C-OCE is a valuable tool for nondestructively assessing human pericardium biomechanics.
• Understanding the impact of preparation and cross-linking on pericardium elasticity is critical for its use in aortic valve leaflet replacement.
• This study provides crucial data for optimizing pericardium tissue processing in cardiac surgery.