In Vivo Calcification of Glutaraldehyde-Fixed Cardiac Valve and Pericardium of Phoca groenlandica

Abstract

Calcification remains the main reason for failure of bioprosthetic valves. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo calcification response of a new bioprosthetic valve, derived from cardiac tissue of Phoca groenlandica. Aortic and pulmonary leaflets, bovine, and Phoca groenlandica pericardia were fixed in buffered glutaraldehyde solution. Tissues were divided into four groups: group 1, bovine pericardium (BP); group 2, pulmonary leaflets; group 3, seal pericardium; and group 4, aortic leaflets. All samples were implanted subdermally into four sets of eight female 12-day-old Wistar rats for 21 days. The tissues were divided into two parts for calcium measurement, and histology with hematoxylin-eosin, von Kossa, and Weigert Van Gieson staining. All groups experienced significant calcification. Group 1 with 1.39 mg/g (0.34) before and 125.78 mg/g (21.48) after implantation (p < 0.001), group 2 with 1.50 mg/g (0.43) before and 151.85 mg/g (19.1) after (p < 0.001), group 3 with 3.15 mg/g (0.62) before and 116.38 mg/g (33.74) after (p < 0.001), and group 4 with 1.84 mg/g (0.52) before and 126.95 mg/g (13.37) after (p < 0.001). Explant samples showed foreign body response, disorganized collagen, and obvious calcification. The cardiac valve and pericardium of Phoca groenlandica calcify to the same extent as the BP.