Marina Funayama1, Yuichi Matsui2, Tsutomu Tajikawa2, Taiki Sasagawa3, Yuta Saito3, Shoko Sagishima3, Takeshi Mizuno4, Masashi Mizuno5, Kayoko Harada5, Shuhei Uchida5, Asako Shinoda5, Ryosuke Iwai6, Yasuhide Nakayama6, Masami Uechi7. 1. Division of Medical Engineering and Materials, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 5-7-1 Fujishiro-dai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan; College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan. 2. Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate-cho, Suita, Osaka 564-8680, Japan. 3. College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan. 4. Division of Medical Engineering and Materials, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 5-7-1 Fujishiro-dai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan; Japan Animal Specialty Medical Institute Inc., 2-7-3, Nakagawa, Tsuduki-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 224-0001, Japan. 5. Japan Animal Specialty Medical Institute Inc., 2-7-3, Nakagawa, Tsuduki-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 224-0001, Japan. 6. Division of Medical Engineering and Materials, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 5-7-1 Fujishiro-dai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan. 7. Division of Medical Engineering and Materials, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 5-7-1 Fujishiro-dai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan; Japan Animal Specialty Medical Institute Inc., 2-7-3, Nakagawa, Tsuduki-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 224-0001, Japan. Electronic address: uechi.masami@cardiovets.jp.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the functionality of an autologous heart valve with stent (Stent-biovalve or SBV) after implantation in the pulmonic valve position in beagle dogs. ANIMALS: Five beagle dogs. METHODS: A mold with an aperture of a tri-leaflet structure was constructed from a pair of concave and convex rods to which a nitinol (NiTi) stent was mounted. This mold was embedded in a dorsal subcutaneous pouch in beagle dogs for 4 weeks. At the time of the removal, the surfaces of the molds were completely covered with connective tissues, tri-leaflet valves were formed and the NiTi stent was tightly connected to the structure. RESULTS: The mean burst strength of the SBV leaflet was 2710 mmHg (range 2280-3116 mmHg), which was approximately equal to that of the native pulmonic valve leaflet. After implantation in the pulmonary position, the SBV showed good functionality as a pulmonic valve. At 84 days after implantation, the SBV was replaced with autologous fibroblasts and collagenous tissues, and showed organization similar to that of native heart valves. CONCLUSION: Stent-Biovalves achieved good valvular function with laminar flow in the pulmonic valve position of beagle dogs.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the functionality of an autologous heart valve with stent (Stent-biovalve or SBV) after implantation in the pulmonic valve position in beagle dogs. ANIMALS: Five beagle dogs. METHODS: A mold with an aperture of a tri-leaflet structure was constructed from a pair of concave and convex rods to which a nitinol (NiTi) stent was mounted. This mold was embedded in a dorsal subcutaneous pouch in beagle dogs for 4 weeks. At the time of the removal, the surfaces of the molds were completely covered with connective tissues, tri-leaflet valves were formed and the NiTi stent was tightly connected to the structure. RESULTS: The mean burst strength of the SBV leaflet was 2710 mmHg (range 2280-3116 mmHg), which was approximately equal to that of the native pulmonic valve leaflet. After implantation in the pulmonary position, the SBV showed good functionality as a pulmonic valve. At 84 days after implantation, the SBV was replaced with autologous fibroblasts and collagenous tissues, and showed organization similar to that of native heart valves. CONCLUSION: Stent-Biovalves achieved good valvular function with laminar flow in the pulmonic valve position of beagle dogs.