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Comparative Study
. 2001 May;71(5 Suppl):S401-5.
doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(01)02527-9.

Calcification characteristics of porcine stented valves in a juvenile sheep model

Affiliations
Comparative Study

Calcification characteristics of porcine stented valves in a juvenile sheep model

W J Flameng et al. Ann Thorac Surg. 2001 May.

Abstract

Background: Different antimineralization treatments of stented porcine bioprostheses were evaluated: ethanol (Epic), alpha-amino-oleic acid (AOA) (Mosaic), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (Hancock II). A nontreated, glutaraldehyde-fixed valve (Labcor) served as control.

Methods: For each treatment, six valves were implanted in juvenile sheep in the pulmonary position. Valves were explanted after 3 and 6 months and examined macroscopically, by roentgenogram and light and transmission electron microscopy. Calcium content (microg/mg) was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry.

Results: The Labcor valves revealed small calcium deposits in the cusps, although calcium content remained low (median value 0.4+/-0.8 microg/mg). SDS did not prevent cusp calcification as assessed by histology and calcium content measurement, which was higher than in all other valves: 1.9+/-4.6 microg/mg (p < 0.05). Cusp retraction and rupture were occasionally found in the Hancock. The Mosaic and Epic valves showed no cusp calcification and had low calcium contents (0.3+/-2.4 microg/mg and 0.7+/-0.6 microg/mg, respectively). Epic showed less pannus formation, but had hematoma or iron staining in the cusps.

Conclusions: SDS is inefficient as an antimineralization treatment, in contrast to ethanol or AOA. Cusp hematoma after ethanol treatment needs further investigation.

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