Autologous or bovine pericardium for aortic cusp replacement? Histomorphological and biomechanical properties as decision making tools

Abstract Background/Introduction Aortic valve cusp replacement using autologous pericardium is a promising technique. Expected advantages are reduced immune response, proper biomechanics and lower treatment expenses. During surgery decision for preferred segment based on visual criteria. Autologous can be affected by patient's condition age. Bovine pericardium, also the basic material aortic prostheses, easy available carefully pre-examined. In this study, homogeneity of tissue thickness, elastic modulus, vessel density ECM components GA-treated residual pericardia after compared with bovine equivalently treated. Purpose Aim study comparison remaining surgical to evaluate classify individual applicability. Methods Up 12 samples human (n=7) or (n=3) were analysed. Tissues treated 0.6% glutaraldehyde according protocol. Picrosiriusred- HE-staining performed (three edges per separated leaflet). Vessel collagen content was determined Zen Blue resp. Fiji software (colour deconvolution plugin, user threshold values). Sample thickness measured via gauge FD50 before uniaxial tensile testing. Hydroxyproline related dry weight. T-Test ANOVA used test inter-species intra-individual differences, respectively. Results Human contain 64.66±3.85% less collagenous fibres (86.01±1.713%); their 29.46±3.73 mm–2 significantly higher than in (12.34±1.636 mm–2). addition, 367.7±59.2 μm thinner (524.4±96.8 μm). Tensile testing (human: 36.00±15.17 MPa; bovine: 41.30±7.767 MPa) revealed significant differences. With 77.80±11.76 mg/g merely trend observed hydroxyproline (bovine 93.16±5.130 mg/g). analyses illustrate differences all properties, thus modulus between samples. contrast, showed an difference only parameter thickness. Conclusion differ histological biomechanical parameters. contrast pericardia, different most parameters investigated, leading conclusion that materials critically more heterogeneous xenogeneic tissues. twofold result risk calcification. Funding Acknowledgement Type funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main source(s): TU Dresden