Key result
Prosthetic heart valves with surface porosity using microspheres less than 40 microns in diameter promoted the formation of a thin neointima without thickening, avoiding interference with the disc.
Why the study?
Does a microporous surface with microspheres <40 microns improve endothelialization and prevent clotting on metal heart valves compared to larger microspheres?
Does a microporous surface with microspheres <40 microns improve endothelialization and prevent clotting on metal heart valves compared to larger microspheres?
Using microspheres less than 40 microns in diameter for the surface of metal heart valves optimizes endothelialization and minimizes clotting and tissue overgrowth.
May inform microporous valve design; leaves open clinical translation from this animal model.
Optimum surface porosity of a prosthetic heart valve was obtained with use of microspheres less than 40 microns in diameter. A thin and translucent neointima then forms on the valve surface, so thin that its nutrition is supplied by diffusion and thickening will not take place, thereby avoiding interference with the functioning disc. Larger microspheres tend to promote clotting and buildup of fibromyxoid soft tissue, which may cause such interference.
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Björk et al. (1990) studied Prosthetic heart valve endothelialization. Microspheres less than 40 microns in diameter vs. Larger microspheres was evaluated on Neointima formation and interference with functioning disc. Prosthetic heart valves with surface porosity using microspheres less than 40 microns in diameter promoted the formation of a thin neointima without thickening, avoiding interference with the disc.
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