Animal experimental study on acellular, tanned, modified xenogeneic bovine jugular vein conduit reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract

Abstract

Objective To study the cell growth characteristics,anti-calcification properties and hemodynamic performance of the acellular valved bovine jugular venous conduits (BJVC) after reconstructing pig fight ventricular outflow tract.Methods The acellular,tanned,modified ( group B,n =8 ) and no-acellular ( group A,n =8) BJVC respectively were used to connect porcine pulmonary artery and right ventricle.The growth characteristics of host endothelial cells and myofibroblasts were observed under the light microscopy and electron microscopy.The contents of calcium were detected by atomic flame.BJVC hemodynamic parameters were assessed by echocardiography.Results In group A,preoperative BJVC specimen surface was lined without endothelial cells.At 12th month postoperation,50％-60％ of the surface was covered by endothehal cells,and no host fibroblasts migrated into matrix.Before operation in group B,the cells of BJVC were basically acellularized.At 12th month postoperation,endothelial cell covered about 80％ -90％ of specimen surface,and host myofibroblasts migrated into the matrix for 1/3.In group A,calcium contently of postoperative proximal and distal anastomotic wall,heart valves were significantly higher than in group B (P ＜ 0.05 ).In group B,the above indicators were significantly higher than in the fresh BJVC (P ＜ 0.05 ).On the postoperative first day the indicators of hemodynamics in groups A and B showed no statistically significant difference ( P ＞ 0.05 ),and the indicators showed no statistically significant difference (P ＞0.05) in group B on the postoperative first day and 12th month.The distal anastomosis diameter in group A was significantly smaller than in group B ( P ＜ 0.05 ) on the postoperative 12th month,and distal anastomotic pressure,pressure gradient and bovine jugular vein back flow were significantly greater in group than in group B (P ＜0.05).Conclusion The acellular,tanned,modified bovine jugular vein is an ideal material for reconstruction of right ventricular flow tract,but the long-term effects need further study. Key words: Bovine; Jugular vein; Right ventricular outflow tract; Hemodynamics