Mechanical and structural properties of a novel hybrid heart valve scaffold for tissue engineering

Artif Organs. 2004 Nov;28(11):971-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1594.2004.00007.x.

Abstract

Hybrid heart valve scaffolds were fabricated from decellularized porcine aortic heart valve matrices and enhanced with bioresorbable polymers using different protocols: (i) dip coating of lyophilized decellularized matrices, and (ii) impregnation of wet decellularized matrices. The following polymers were evaluated: poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co4-hydroxybutyrate). Tensile tests were conducted to assess the biomechanical behavior of valve leaflet strips. Suture retention strength was evaluated for the adjacent conduit. A pulse duplicator system was used for functional testing of the valves under physiological systemic load conditions. The properties of the hybrid structures were compared with native, decellularized, and glutaraldehyde-fixed specimens. Mechanisms of the polymer impregnation process were studied with IR spectroscopy, fluorescent microscopic imaging, and SEM. Altogether this study demonstrates the feasibility and improved biomechanical function of a novel hybrid heart valve scaffold for an application in tissue engineering.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biopolymers
  • Bioprosthesis*
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Extracellular Matrix / ultrastructure
  • Fixatives
  • Glutaral
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis*
  • Hydroxybutyrates
  • Materials Testing*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Stroke Volume
  • Sutures
  • Swine
  • Tensile Strength
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*

Substances

  • Biopolymers
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Fixatives
  • Hydroxybutyrates
  • Glutaral