[Mineralization of homograft aortic valves stored in a nutrient solution].
OBJECTIVE
Mineralization of the homograft aortic valve cusps is a complex process leading to their degeneration and decreasing durability. Factors that play a decisive role in regulation of mineralization, growth of hydroxyapatite crystals are still open questions. We studied development of mineralization in the homograft aortic valves prepared for transplantation stored in the Parker's solution with antibiotics.


METHODS
The aortic valves were explanted from 12 donors <18 hours after death. All the cusps were divided into halves. One half of each cusp was stored in the Parker's solution with antibiotics for 28 days at 4 degrees C. Concentrations of several elements (P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn i Sr) in incubated and control samples were determined using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF).


RESULTS
The study showed that the concentration of Ca and Ca/P increased during incubation that may indicate development of mineralization.


CONCLUSIONS
The homograft aortic valve cusps underwent mineralization during in vitro incubation. This may aggravate mineralization in the aortic valve recipients and decrease valve durability which indicate a need for modification of storing condition.
Goncerz
Grzegorz
G
Katedra Anatomii Collegium Medicum, Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Kraków.
Podolec
Piotr
P
Rokita
Eugeniusz
E
Wróbel
Andrzej
A
Kunz
Jerzy
J
Sadowski
Jerzy
J
Cichocki
Tadeusz
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000378:metabolism*; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D002118:Calcium