title: Indentation hardness: A simple test that correlates with the dissipated-energy predictor for fatigue-life in bovine pericardium membranes for bioprosthetic heart valves.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the variation of hardness with fatigue in calf pericardium, a biomaterial commonly used in bioprosthetic heart valves, and its relationship with the energy dissipated during the first fatigue cycle that has been shown to be a predictor of fatigue-life (García Páez et al., 2006, 2007; Rojo et al., 2010). Fatigue tests were performed in vitro on 24 pericardium specimens cut in a root-to-apex direction. The specimens were subjected to a maximum stress of 1MPa in blocks of 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 and 1500 cycles. By means of a modified Shore A hardness test procedure, the hardness of the specimen was measured before and after fatigue tests. Results showed a significant correlation of such hardness with fatigue performance and with the energy dissipated in the first cycle of fatigue, a predictor of pericardium durability. The study showed indentation hardness as a simple and reliable indicator of mechanical performance, one which could be easily implemented in improving tissue selection.
authors: Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Ciencia de Materiales, ETSI Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: almudena.tobaruela@upm.es.
authors: Almudena
authors: A
authors: Tobaruela
authors: Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Ciencia de Materiales, ETSI Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors: Francisco Javier
authors: FJ
authors: Rojo
authors: Servicio de Cirugía Experimental y Bioestadística, Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain.
authors: José María
authors: JM
authors: García Paez
authors: Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Ciencia de Materiales, ETSI Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors: Jean Yves
authors: JY
authors: Bourges
authors: Servicio de Cirugía Experimental y Bioestadística, Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain.
authors: Eduardo Jorge
authors: EJ
authors: Herrero
authors: Servicio de Cirugía Experimental y Bioestadística, Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain.
authors: Isabel
authors: I
authors: Millán
authors: Servicio de Cirugía Experimental y Bioestadística, Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain.
authors: Lourdes
authors: L
authors: Alvarez
authors: Servicio de Cirugía Experimental y Bioestadística, Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid 28220, Spain.
authors: Ángeles
authors: Á
authors: Cordon
authors: Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Ciencia de Materiales, ETSI Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors: Gustavo V
authors: GV
authors: Guinea
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001705:Bioprosthesis; D002417:Cattle; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006244:Hardness; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006351:Heart Valves; D010496:Pericardium
keywords: Bovine pericardium; Energy dissipated; Fatigue; Hardness; Heart valves