title: Tissue engineering: complete autologous valve conduit--a new moulding technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of fibrin gel, which can be produced from patients' blood, was investigated as an autologous, biodegradable scaffold. A new moulding technique was developed to create a complete aortic root.
  
  
  METHODS
  A new moulding technique was generated for the creation of complete valve conduit. On the basis of biomechanical valve design studies, a tricuspid "ventricular" and "aortic" stamp were developed. A silicone-coated aluminum cylinder was used to circumferentially limit the mould. The cell/gel suspension was filled into the mould and polymerization was started.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The creation of complex structures such as complete valve conduits is possible with the moulding technique described. With a layer thickness of up to 2 mm, histological investigations showed excellent tissue development with viable fibroblasts surrounded by collagen bundles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fibrin gel unifies many properties of an ideal scaffold: The formation of complex structures is possible, the degradation and polymerization is controllable and the formation of the extracellular matrix is excellent.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelstrasse 30, 52974 Aachen, Germany. stjocki@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jockenhoevel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chalabi
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Sachweh
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Groesdonk
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Demircan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grossmann
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zund
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Messmer
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D005337:Fibrin; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014261:Tricuspid Valve
chemical_list: D005337:Fibrin