title: Mathematical analysis of calcifications in stented, antibiotic sterilized and cryopreserved sheep biological valves implanted for one year in tricuspid position.
abstract: The aim of the study was morphometric and mathematic analysis of calcification profiles present in the leaflets of a cryopreserved and alive heart valve depending on the diagnosed pathologic process. Sheep antibiotic sterilised and cryopreserved biological valves were implanted in tricuspid position in young sheeps for one-year period. After this time the valves removed and studied morphologically. The control group consisted of 7 intact valves, the comparative group, so called group of valves after the processing antibiotic sterilization and cryopreservation consisted of 7 valves after mentioned procedures. Histologic investigations were based on paraffin sections of formalin-fixed valve cusps, stained with H&E and Masson trichrome, calcium deposits were stained von Kossa technique. The measured values included: 1. area and equivalent diameter, 2. length, 3. breadth, 4. perimeter, 5. elongation, 6. roundness, 7. fullness coefficient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1. A process of initial processing and cryopreservation of biological valve increases a dimension and disturbs a shape of microcalcifications. 2. Cryopreserved biological valves explanted after one-year implantation into an animal in a tricuspid position possess microcalcifications and calcification foci. The size of microcalcifications decreases together with an intensification of degenerative processes of the connective tissue, especially in hyalinization. Hyalinization of the biological valve tissue seems to be favorable for a valve durability and as a pathological process decreasing calcification. 3. Mathematic analysis of morphometric features defining differences in size and shape of each calcification indicate morphologic and morphometric autonomy of calcifications, characteristic for the analyzed group of valve pathologic changes.
authors.affiliation: Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases, Zabrze, Poland. jerno@poczta.wp.pl
authors.forename: Jerzy K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Nozyński
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wilczek
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zembala-Nozyńska
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wszołek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D012756:Sheep; D015607:Stents; D013997:Time Factors; D016042:Transplantation, Heterotopic / Q000009:adverse effects; D014261:Tricuspid Valve
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents