Abstract
AbstractThe aim of these studies was to develop a procedure for the determination of elemental concentrations in aortic valve cusps based on XRF measurements and to evaluate whether the XRF method may be useful in mineralization studies. The investigations were conducted on aortic valves collected at autopsy from 12 donors. Concentrations of 14 elements (Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Sr) were determined. The cusp areal density determination was based on Compton scattering measurement. Calcium concentration was considered as an indicator of mineralization development. The results revealed differences in the elemental compositions of the cusps constituting one aortic valve for donors older than ∼40 years, whereas no differences were observed in younger donors. There was a correlation between advancement of the mineralization process in the aortic valves, assessed by the Ca concentration, and donors' age. Acceleration of the process was observed for subjects older than 40 years. It may be concluded that homografts should be collected from donors younger than 40 years. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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