Computed tomography detects tissue formation in a stented engineered heart valve

Ann Thorac Surg. 2011 Jul;92(1):344-5. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2010.12.063.

Abstract

Tissue-engineered heart valves (TEHV) are being explored as an alternative to conventional heart valve prostheses. Using the classic tissue engineering paradigm, a stented tri-leaflet valve is fabricated. Subsequently, the construct is implanted into the pulmonary position in a sheep. Follow-up by means of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and echocardiography was used to assess tissue formation. After 4 weeks, the scaffold of the TEHV has degraded and new tissue is formed. However, small areas without tissue formation were present at macroscopic inspection. This phenomenon was only visible on computed tomographic images. Therefore, computed tomography appears a promising technique for in vivo follow-up of tissue formation in tissue-engineered heart valves.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Echocardiography, Doppler / methods
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft Survival
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Pulmonary Valve / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Valve / surgery*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sheep
  • Stents*
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*