title: In vitro computerized evaluation of biological cardiac prosthesis calcification.
abstract: The late valvular bioprostheses failure is mainly related to leaflet calcification. This study reports a new approach to testing the biological prostheses calcification applying a computerized technique to x-ray picture. A bovine glutaraldehyde-fixed bioprostheses (BB) was implanted in two sheep in mitral position. The experimental procedure was performed on valves explanted six months after surgery. The BB x-ray pictures were tested by means of a video display computer (VDC) that can process radiographic, photographic or microscopic images and also evaluate the optical density of image quantifiable. The calcification zone assumes different values according to the calcification degree. The VDC can colour the BB x-ray images and display them on monitors (one black and white, one colour) with the colours strictly related to the grey levels of the image.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008943:Mitral Valve; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012756:Sheep