title: In-vivo repopularization of a tissue-engineered heart valve in a human subject.
abstract: A 63-year-old male with a massively calcified aortic valve showed an active lifestyle. Therefore, valve replacement was completed using the Ross procedure. During postoperative echocardiographic control, a ventricular septal defect was noted which was closed surgically. During this reoperation, a biopsy sample was taken from the wall of the tissue-engineered heart valve which was used to reconstruct the right ventricular outflow tract. A persistent monolayer of endothelial cells and host recellularization of the deeper layer was demonstrated histologically. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient rapidly recovered. After six years, he remains in excellent health.
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Charité Hospital, Medical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany. pascal.dohmen@charite.de
authors: Pascal M
authors: PM
authors: Dohmen
authors: Steffen
authors: S
authors: Hauptmann
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Terytze
authors: Wolfgang F
authors: WF
authors: Konertz
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000637:transplantation*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*