Histological and Biomechanical Characteristics of Human Decellularized Allograft Heart Valves After Eighteen Months of Storage in Saline Solution.

The best storage preservation method for maintaining the quality and safety of human decellularized allograft heart valves is yet to be established. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the stability in terms of extracellular matrix (ECM) integrity of human heart valve allografts decellularized using sodium dodecyl sulfate-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (SDS-EDTA) and stored for 6, 12, and 18 months. A total of 70 decellularized aortic and pulmonary valves were analyzed across different storage times (0, 6, 12, and 18 months) for solution pH measurements, histological findings, cytotoxicity assay results, biomechanical test results, and microbiological suitability test results.

Anaerobic bioburden in transport solution of human cardiovascular tissues.

Although reports of infections caused by anaerobes after tissue transplantation are uncommon, contamination of allografts may result in substantial complications. Anaerobic incubation and testing of organ transport solution (TS) are not routine. The aim of this study was to determine the bioburden of strict anaerobic bacteria and oxygen tension of heart-TS.

Risk factors associated with contamination of allograft valves in a tissue bank.

The contamination of the transport solution used in cardiovascular allografts can occur from different sources. Risk factors associated with positive microbiological test of transport solution have not been reported previously. This study aimed to determine the risk factor for contamination of transport solution used in the heart valve allografts stored in a Brazilian tissue bank.

Conventional culture method and qPCR using 16S rDNA for tissue bank: a comparison using a model of cardiac tissue contamination.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using 16S rDNA is an alternative to conventional culture-based tests. The aim of this study was to compare the conventional culture method with qPCR using 16S rDNA in a model of cardiac tissue contamination. Samples of cardiac tissue for artificial contamination with Escherichia coli and control samples were submitted for DNA extraction, which was conducted by selective and alkaline lysis and purification steps.

Comparison of automated and conventional microbiological examination of donated human cardiac tissue in heart valve banking.

Most tissue banks use the conventional method; however, the automated method has advantages over the conventional method. The aim of this study was to compare the conventional and automated methods of culture in human cardiac tissue using an artificial contamination model. Myocardial samples were contaminated with sequential concentration (10 to 10 CFU/mL) with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans.

Bioburden in transport solutions of human cardiovascular tissues: a comparative evaluation of direct inoculation and membrane filter technique.

All cardiac allograft tissues are under potential contamination, requiring a validated terminal sterilization process or a minimal bioburden. The bioburden calculation is important to determine the bacterial burden and further decontamination and disinfection strategies for the valve processing. The aim of this study was to determine the bioburden from transport solution (TS) of heart valves obtained from non-heart-beating and heart-beating donors in different culture methods.

Mobile health application to assist doctors in antibiotic prescription - an approach for antibiotic stewardship.

Background: Technologies applied to mobile devices can be an important strategy in antibiotic stewardship programs.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a decision-making application on antibiotic prescription.

Methods: This was an observational, analytical and longitudinal study on the implementation of an antimicrobial guide for mobile application.