Vitrification of heart valve allografts – optimal preservation of extracellular matrix translates into improved in vivo function

Objective: Transplantation of cryopreserved allografts represents a well-established valve replacement option. We have recently published data indicating that conventional cryopreservation is accompanied by serious alterations of extracellular matrix (ECM) structures as confirmed by laser scanning microscopy (LSM). We have furthermore shown that the alternative preservation technique vitrification preserves ECM in vitro. Objective of this study was to test the in vivo relevance of the in vitro results.