Effect of suturing on the mechanical properties of bovine pericardium — implications for cardiac valve bioprosthesis

In the fabrication of a bioprosthetic heart valve from bovine pericardial tissues, the tissues are subjected to suturing. The stress-strain response of sutured as well as unsutured strips of this tissue were examined. The stress-strain response was determined using a tensile-testing machine. It was found that suturing weakens the tissue in that sutured strips are more extensible, exhibit a lower stress at rupture and a lower final elastic modulus. In addition, it was also found that the bigger the suture/needle size used the greater the decrease in tissue strength. In all, tissue strength was observed to decrease by 22 to 59% in this study. The weakening of the tissue is attributed to the puncture holes created by the surgeon's needle which create regions of weakness. This response of bovine pericardial tissue to suturing should be given due consideration in the fabrication of a bioprosthetic heart valve using this tissue.