Objectives: The problems in preparing (including cryopreservation) and implanting aortic valve allografts (AVAs) is widely elaborated, but some issues need explanation.
Material And Methods: Twenty AVAs cryopreserved in dimethylsulphoxide/RPMI solution under -160°C for 1-15 years and 3 controls stored at +4°C up to 2 weeks, from 19 male and 4 female donors, aged 20-51, ±30.8 years, were examined using light (LM), digital (DM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay immunoenzymatic tests (PECAM1, CD34).
Results: All AVAs were macroscopically correct. LM revealed normal structure of leaflets but massive endothelial decellularization (±59 cells remained on the surface of 5 mm scraps). DM and SEM demonstrated generally normal collagen structures, but local alterations, probably influenced by freezing-thawing (gaps, separated plates) or being initial phase of native degeneration (grains). EDS detected a little elevated calcium amount in 1 specimen only. The mean PECAM1 and CD34 concentrations were at similar low level in all probes.
Conclusions: Fresh and cryopreservation technologies did not significantly influence the basic properties of AVA leaflets; however, massive endothelial decellularization was present in both groups. Therefore, no endocardial cell activity nor signs of inflammation were observed. These results were independent of donors' age and sex, processing technology, and time of storage of cryopreserved AVAs.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2018.04.025 | DOI Listing |
The zebrafish is a valuable model organism for studying cardiac development and diseases due to its many shared aspects of genetics and anatomy with humans and ease of experimental manipulations. Computational fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations are an efficient and highly controllable means to study the function of cardiac valves in development and diseases. Due to their small scales, little is known about the mechanical properties of zebrafish cardiac valves, limiting existing computational studies of zebrafish valves and their interaction with blood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnatol J Cardiol
January 2025
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Research, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA ; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Lankenau Heart Institute, Main Line Health Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA.
Background: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV TAVR) with newer-generation self-expanding Evolut valves according to the size of the failed surgical bioprosthesis.
Methods: This single-center retrospective study evaluated consecutive patients undergoing ViV TAVR with the Evolut Pro/Pro+/Fx between 2018 and 2022. These patients were compared based on the true internal diameter (ID) of the failed bioprosthesis, specifically ≤19 mm (small group) vs.
Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol
January 2025
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Background: Electrocardiograms (EKGs) are routinely performed in pregnant patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. However, in pregnant patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), EKG changes during gestation have not been explored.
Methods: We performed a retrospective study of pregnant patients with CHD enrolled in the STORCC initiative.
Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg Cases
January 2025
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan.
Patients with coronary artery disease undergoing trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) often receive TAVI alone. However, in cases of severe coronary lesions or anticipated difficulty in coronary access post-TAVI, percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting may be necessary. We performed simultaneous gastroepiploic artery to posterior descending artery bypass and TAVI in two patients with severe calcification of the right coronary artery ostium which is unsuitable for percutaneous intervention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCardiovasc Interv Ther
January 2025
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osakasayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using the NAVITOR system has been relatively underreported due to its recent introduction in Japan. This study aimed to assess the short-term outcomes of TAVI with the NAVITOR in real-world clinical practice. Patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI using the NAVITOR system at our institution between December 2022 and December 2023 were prospectively enrolled.
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