title: [Effect of the dispersion of calcium deposits on allogenic aortic valves durability. Mineralization phases].
abstract: This investigation was aimed at comparison of calcium content and calcium dispersion in allogenic aortic valve leaflets removed due to dysfunction, to establish the influence of both parameters on graft durability. Calcification was assessed histochemically (von Kossa) as well as physicochemically using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The morpho-metric data (leaflet area involved in the calcification process) were obtained by computer-assisted image analysis system. The dry weight content of leaflet calcium and phosphorus were assessed by atomic absorptive spectroscopy (AAS) and Ca/P ratio was calculated. Calcium dispersion coefficient (Dc) was established according to the formula: Dc = 1/Ca(c)/Ap, where Ca(c) = calcium dry weight concentration; Ap = percent of leaflet area involved in calcification. We found biphasic correlation between calcium concentration and area involved in calcification. The first one was characterized by rising dispersion of calcium deposits while for the second one saturation with hydroxyapatite of formerly calcified areas was predominant, negatively influencing graft durability. Allograft durability was correlated with calcium dispersion (Dc) (p<0.001), while no significant correlation was found with calcium concentration. Decreased Dc was characteristic for 93.8% of low durability grafts (<11.6 years). Our results suggest that lowered calcium dispersion decreasing allograft lifetime and is a better predictor of allograft durability than the total calcium content.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Histologii, Collegium Medicum, Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego w Krakowie. mmlis@cyf-kr.edu.pl
authors.forename: Grzegorz J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Lis
authors.forename: Eugeniusz
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rokita
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Podolec
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gajda
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sadowski
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cichocki
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus; D002118:Calcium