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In-Vitro Endothelialization Assessment of Heparinized Bovine Pericardial Scaffold for Cardiovascular Application

(1) Background: Hemocompatibility is a critical challenge for tissue-derived biomaterial when directly contacting the bloodstream. In addition to surface modification with heparin, endothelialization of the grafted material is suggested to improve long-term clinical efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the ability to endothelialize in vitro of heparinized bovine pericardial scaffolds. (2) Methods: bovine pericardial scaffolds were fabricated and heparinized using a layer-by-layer assembly...
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Detection of HOCl-driven degradation of the pericardium scaffolds by label-free multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging

Artificial biomaterials can significantly increase the rate of tissue regeneration. However, implantation of scaffolds leads not only to accelerated tissue healing but also to an immune response of the organism, which results in the degradation of the biomaterial. The synergy of the immune response and scaffold degradation processes largely determines the efficiency of tissue regeneration. Still, methods suitable for fast, accurate and non-invasive characterization of the degradation degree of...
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Comparative study on Sichuan yak pericardium and Australian cattle pericardium

Currently, as the key raw material of artificial biological heart valve, bovine pericardium is mainly depend on import and has become a "bottleneck" challenge, greatly limiting the development of domestic biological heart valve. Therefore, the localization of bovine pericardium is extremely urgent. In this study, the pericardium of Sichuan yak was compared with that of Australian cattle in terms of fundamental properties and anti-calcification performance. The results demonstrated that the...
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Development of Antithrombogenic ECM-Based Nanocomposite Heart Valve Leaflets

Thrombogenicity, which is commonly encountered in artificial heart valves after replacement surgeries, causes valvular failure. Even life-long anticoagulant drug use may not be sufficient to prevent thrombogenicity. In this study, it was aimed to develop a heart valve construct with antithrombogenic properties and suitable mechanical strength by combining multiwalled carbon nanotubes within a decellularized bovine pericardium. In this context, the decellularization process was performed by using...
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Cardiac calcified amorphous tumor with mitral valve perforation: A case report

Cardiac calcified amorphous tumors are rare non-neoplastic intracavitary masses. Herein, we report a case of a 75-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea on exertion and multiple cerebral infarctions 3 months prior. Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe mitral regurgitation from the posterior mitral leaflet with valve perforation and severe mitral annular calcification. In addition, we observed a 13 mm mobile high echogenic mass, suggesting healed infective endocarditis. The mass was...
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Complex Hybrid Repair of a Secondary Aortoenteric Fistula

BACKGROUND: Secondary aortoenteric fistula is a rare, highly morbid and often difficult to diagnose, cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. It is associated with prior aortic surgery or placement of a synthetic aortic graft. Our case features staged hybrid endovascular stent-grafting, graft excision, aortoplasty using a bovine pericardial patch, extra-anatomical bypass and complex bowel repair.
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