Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Aortic valve cusp microstructure: the role of elastin

M Scott1, I Vesely

  • 1John P. Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|August 1, 1995
PubMed
Summary

Researchers isolated aortic valve elastin, revealing its honeycomb structure. This elastin matrix supports collagen fibers, enabling the valve

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Microstructural alterations owing to handling of bovine pericardium to manufacture bioprosthetic heart valves: A potential risk for cusp dehiscence.

Morphologie : bulletin de l'Association des anatomistes·2017
Same author

New concepts in the design and use of biological prosthetic valves.

Cardiovascular pathology : the official journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology·2015
Same author

Collagen-based Tissue Engineering as Applied to Heart Valves.

Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference·2007
Same author

Progress in developing a composite tissue-engineered aortic valve.

Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference·2007
Same author

Computational modeling of vascular clamping: a step toward simulating surgery.

Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference·2007
Same author

The effect of glycosaminoglycans and hydration on the viscoelastic properties of aortic valve cusps.

Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual Conference·2007

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Tissue Engineering

Background:

  • Aortic valve cusps are complex structures with limited quantitative data on constituent composition and organization.
  • Elastin's specific role and structural contribution within the aortic valve remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a method for isolating aortic valve elastin in its native, intact form.
  • To characterize the structural organization and relationship of elastin within the aortic valve cusp.

Main Methods:

  • Digestive isolation of aortic valve leaflets using 0.1 N sodium hydroxide at 75°C.
  • Morphological analysis via scanning electron microscopy.
  • Three-dimensional reconstruction from serial section imaging.

Main Results:

  • Successful isolation of morphologically intact aortic valve elastin.
  • Elastin exhibits a distinct honeycomb or spongelike structural matrix.
  • Elastin appears to surround and interconnect collagen fiber bundles within the cusp.

Conclusions:

  • Elastin forms a critical matrix supporting collagenous structures in aortic valve cusps.
  • This structural arrangement allows for significant cusp elongation (40%) and elastic recoil.
  • Elastin is essential for maintaining the aortic valve's resting geometry and functional integrity.

Related Experiment Videos