Estimation of protein and DNA synthesis in allograft organ cultures as a measure of cell viability.

Viability of human heart valves obtained routinely at necropsy was compared with that of antibiotic sterilised bank allografts and pathological valves, obtained at surgery, by assessing DNA and protein synthesis and tissue culture. None of the post-mortem samples nor any of the bank allografts showed viability comparable with that of surgical material. These findings imply absence of significant viability in heart valves prepared for grafting.