title: Histopathologic findings in a novel decellularized pulmonary homograft: an autopsy study.
abstract: Innovative valved conduits for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract are desirable to overcome the risk of valve deterioration of conventional homografts. This study describes the histopathology of a novel decellularized pulmonary homograft (SynerGraft) implanted in the right ventricular outflow tract of a 60-year-old man 5 weeks before death. The histomorphology of this decellularized homograft showed integrity of its extracellular matrix and a gradual cellular infiltrate consisting predominantly of macrophages, resembling an early nonspecific inflammatory phase of recellularization without any signs of a specific immunologic interference 5 weeks after implantation. Whether this morphologic appearance precedes the desired repopulation with autologous fibroblasts remains to be established.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany. friedhelm.sayk@innere1.uni-luebeck.de
authors.forename: Friedhelm
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sayk
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schubert
authors.forename: Thilo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wedel
authors.forename: Hans-H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Sievers
mesh_terms: D001344:Autopsy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011666:Pulmonary Valve Stenosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous