title: [Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement in sheep: 6-month evaluation of self-expanding valved stents].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement in sheep up to 6 months post procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fresh sheep pericardium treated with a 0.6% glutaraldehyde solution for 36 hours was sutured to a valvular ring and then fixed onto a newly designed nitinol self-expandable stent. Thoracotomy was performed in sheep (23.5 +/- 3.1) kg under general anesthesia and the device was delivered into the native pulmonary valve of the sheep via the anterior wall of right ventricle by catheter and fooled for 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One sheep died 4 months after the procedure due to in-stent thrombosis. Another 4 animals survived the 6-month observing period. Angiographic and hemodynamic measurements confirmed good positioning and function of the stents with a competent valve immediately post procedure and 6 months post the procedure in surviving animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implantation of the nitinol self-expandable stent in the pulmonary valve position by a transcatheter approach is feasible and good function of transcatheter implanted memory nitinol valved stents was shown after 6 months of implantation in sheep.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital of Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Gang-jun
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Zong
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Yong-wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Hai-bin
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ying-long
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Yi-qing
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Xian-xian
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Xin-miao
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D012756:Sheep; D015607:Stents