Biochemical and histological evidence of deteriorated bioprosthetic valve leaflets: the accumulation of fibrinogen and plasminogen

Sakaue et al. (2018) conducted an observational in Aortic valve stenosis and bioprosthetic valve deterioration (n=11). Bioprosthetic valve deterioration vs. Native aortic stenosis valves and normal valves was evaluated on Identification of explanted bioprosthetic valve-specific proteins and histological characterization of calcification and fibrosis. Explanted bioprosthetic valves showed severe fibrosis and calcification without myofibroblasts, characterized by specific accumulation of fibrinogen and macrophage-derived plasminogen.