title: Early alteration of bioprosthetic cardiac valves in sheep: influence of the immunological status.
abstract: Ten Pericarbon valve bioprostheses were examined after being implanted in tricuspid position in two different groups of animals: group I sheep with increased immunoglobulins, plasma levels, and eosinophilis count of more than 10%, due to parasitic infection, and group II sheep without any parasitic infection, i.e. with normal blood data. The explanted valve follow up was between 60-95 hours in both groups. Microscopic observation of group I valves revealed a massive blood cell (lymphocytes, eosinophilis and large mononuclear cells) infiltration especially around the natural pericardial blood vessels in the region of flexion and attachment. The epipericardial surface was covered by fibrin sheath, and immunofluorescence studies showed a strongly positive reaction for immunoglobulins (IgG and IgE) on leaflet surfaces and lamellar stratification into the fibrosa. Microcalcifications were detected around pericardial blood vessels in the same zones where infiltrated blood cells were found. In group II valves cell infiltration was absent with no signs of calcification and immunofluorescence was negative. Our data suggest that immunoglobulins adherence followed by blood cell infiltration may be one of the early causes of tissue leaflet degeneration and there is a parallel trend between plasma immunoglobulin levels and the early tissue alteration. Our data show that the experimental model for testing bioprostheses in sheep is influenced by the pre-immunological status and it is important to control it before surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Case di Cura Villa Maria, Cotignola RA, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Noera
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fattori
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gatti
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002465:Cell Movement; D005337:Fibrin / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D007109:Immunity; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000378:metabolism; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012016:Reference Values; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D005337:Fibrin