title: Two stage EDTA anti-calcification method for bioprosthetic heart valve materials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two-stage EDTA treatment in diminishing calcific degeneration in bovine pericardial bioprosthetic heart valve material.
  
  
  METHODS
  Conventionally preserved pericardium specimens were divided into two groups. Group I (controls, n=18) pieces were first fixed in phosphate-buffered solution (PBS)+0.6% glutaraldehyde at +4 degrees C for 24 hours, then stored in PBS+0.2% glutaraldehyde at room temperature for 6 days. Group II (study group, n=18) pieces were treated with PBS containing 100 microg/ml ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) at +4 degrees C for 24 hours, then fixed in PBS+0.6% glutaraldehyde as was group I at +4 degrees C for 24 hours. After a second exposure to PBS containing 100 microg/ml EDTA at room temperature for 24 hours, they were stored in PBS+0.2% glutaraldehyde at room temperature for 4 days. Pericardial patches were inserted into the dorsal pouches of 18 juvenile male Wistar rats. After 7 weeks of implantation, all the pericardium pieces were harvested from sacrificed rats. The calcium content and biomechanical properties of the explanted tissues were evaluated and also examined histopathologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The difference in the calcium content of the control and study groups was statistically significant. Biomechanical and histopathologic assessment also supported these findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application of two-stage EDTA was found to be useful in the attenuation of calcification in bioprosthetic heart valve materials with mildly increased durability. As calcification was reduced by approximately 50%, it can be considered for use with other agents as an adjuvant treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Mersin University, School of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey. nehirsucu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nehir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sucu
authors.forename: Kerem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karaca
authors.forename: Nejat
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Ulkü
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Cömelekoglu
authors.forename: Barlas Naim
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Aytacoglu
authors.forename: Lulufer
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tamer
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozeren
authors.forename: H Ali
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Dondas
authors.forename: Yzzet
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Oğuz
authors.forename: Oya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ogenler
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dikmengil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D008297:Male; D010496:Pericardium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004492:Edetic Acid; D002118:Calcium