Viability in human heart valves prepared for grafting.
Viability of antibiotic sterilized and stored human heart valves obtained at routine necropsy was assessed by tissue culture and protein and collagen synthesis. Only three of 23 valves examined showed any evidence of viability, in striking contrast to earlier work on canine valves obtained under optimal conditions. These findings justify doubts regarding pre-implantation viability in human heart valves prepared for grafting.
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods; D014022:Tissue Survival
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003094:Collagen