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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003; 51(2): 78-83
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-38993
Original Cardiovascular
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

The Relevance of Large Strains in Functional Tissue Engineering of Heart Valves

A.  Mol1, 2 , C.  V. C.  Bouten2 , G.  Zünd1 , C.  I.  Günter1 , J.  F.  Visjager3 , M.  I.  Turina1 , F.  P. T.  Baaijens2 , S.  P.  Hoerstrup1
  • 1Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
  • 2Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
  • 3Institute for Polymers, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
Presented at the 32nd annual meeting of The German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery inLeipzig, February 23 - 26, 2003
Further Information

Publication History

Received: February 27, 2003

Publication Date:
05 May 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Background: Exposing the developing tissue to flow and pressure in a bioreactor has been shown to enhance tissue formation in tissue-engineered heart valves. Animal studies showed excellent functionality in these valves in the pulmonary position. However, they lack the mechanical strength for implantation in the high-pressure aortic position. Improving the in vitro conditioning protocol is an important step towards the use of these valves as aortic heart valve replacements. In this study, the relevance of large strains to improve the mechanical conditioning protocol was investigated. Methods: Using a newly developed device, engineered heart valve tissue was exposed to increasing cyclic strain in vitro. Tissue formation and mechanical properties were analyzed and compared to unstrained controls. Results: Straining resulted in more pronounced and organized tissue formation with superior mechanical properties over unstrained controls. Overall tissue properties improved with increasing strain levels. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the significance of large strains in promoting tissue formation. This study may provide a methodological basis for tissue engineering of heart valves appropriate for systemic pressure applications.

Key words

Tissue engineering - heart valves - mechanical stress

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MD Simon Philipp Hoerstrup

Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Zürich

Raemistrasse 100

8091 Zurich

Switzerland

Phone: +41/1/2553801

Fax: +41/1/2554369

Email: simon_philipp.hoerstrup@chi.usz.ch

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