An investigation of the glycosaminoglycan contribution to biaxial mechanical behaviours of porcine atrioventricular heart valve leaflets.

ABSTRACT: The atrioventricular heart valve (AHV) leaflets have a complex microstructure composed of four distinct layers: atrialis, ventricularis, fibrosa and spongiosa. Specifically, the spongiosa layer is primarily proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Quantification of the GAGs' mechanical contribution to the overall leaflet function has been of recent focus for aortic valve leaflets, but this characterization has not been reported for the AHV leaflets. This study seeks to expand current GAG literature through novel mechanical characterizations of GAGs in AHV leaflets. For this characterization, mitral and tricuspid valve anterior leaflets (MVAL and TVAL, respectively) were: (i) tested by biaxial mechanical loading at varying loading ratios and by stress-relaxation procedures, (ii) enzymat

SUBMITTER: Ross CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6685018 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature