Tissue engineering: complete autologous valve conduit--a new moulding technique.
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.
Jockenhoevel
S
S
Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelstrasse 30, 52974 Aachen, Germany. stjocki@yahoo.com
Chalabi
K
K
Sachweh
J S
JS
Groesdonk
H V
HV
Demircan
L
L
Grossmann
M
M
Zund
G
G
Messmer
B J
BJ
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
D005337:Fibrin