Implantation of a Tissue-Engineered Tubular Heart Valve in Growing Lambs.

ABSTRACT: Current pediatric heart valve replacement options are suboptimal because they are incapable of somatic growth. Thus, children typically have multiple surgeries to replace outgrown valves. In this study, we present the in vivo function and growth potential of our tissue-engineered pediatric tubular valve. The valves were fabricated by sewing two decellularized engineered tissue tubes together in a prescribed pattern using degradable sutures and subsequently implanted into the main pulmonary artery of growing lambs. Valve function was monitored using periodic ultrasounds after implantation throughout the duration of the study. The valves functioned well up to 8 weeks, 4 weeks beyond the suture strength half-life, after which their insufficiency index worsened. Histology from the explanted va

SUBMITTER: Reimer J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5064828 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature