Novel graphene-coated mechanical bi-leaflet valves after accelerated wear test of 40M test cycles in saline

Abstract

Aims The study was initiated to analyse and characterize application of graphene on to heart valves, and also to evaluate the morphology of graphene after accelerated wear test in saline.Methods Monolayer graphene was transferred to four bi-leaflet mechanical mitral valves. Three valves were subjected to accelerated wear test to 40M cycles in saline. Subsequently, after completion of the test, all the valves were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. One bi-leaflet valve coated with graphene and another one which was not coated with graphene served as control.Results A definite presence of graphene by SEM analysis was observed in various locations in 2 out of 3 valves analysed by accelerated wear test. As the valve surface was relatively rough, and the magnification was very high though graphene traces were not seen on the third valve, its presence cannot be ruled out. The surface morphology of the mitral valves was not changed at the completion of the study, by application of graphene.Conclusion Graphene could be applied to mechanical bi-leaflet heart valves, and its presence was seen in 2 out of 3 valves after an accelerated wear test of 40M test cycles in saline.