[Calcification and biomechanics in vivo of ultra-microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene in rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To study in vivo calcification and biomechanics of the ultra-microporous expanded polytetrafluo- roethylene (UePTFE) in rabbits in comparison with glutaral-treated bovine pericardium (BP), so as to assess the potential of UePTFE as a material for cardiac valve prosthesis.


METHODS
Factorial analysis was adopted in the experiment. UePTFE and glutaral-treated BP of appropriate sizes were embedded beneath skin of young New Zealand rabbits, and at 0, 1, 3 and 6 months following the implantation, the materials were measured for the content of calcium and biomechanics properties.


RESULTS
Lower level of calcification of the UePTFE occurred after the implantation, as compared with BP, and the biomechanics indices of the former UePTFE were obviously suprior to those of the latter.


CONCLUSIONS
UePTFE is a better material than BP for cardiac valve prosthesis.
Li
Hai-Bo
HB
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. youngh@fimmu.com
Wang
Wu-Jun
WJ
Cai
Kai-Can
KC
Wang
Zhen-Kang
ZK
Liang
Yong
Y
Shao
Ya-Hui
YH
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011817:Rabbits
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene