Tissue engineering: complete autologous valve conduit--a new moulding technique

• Published in: The Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon Vol. 49; no. 5; p. 287
• Main Authors: Jockenhoevel, S, Chalabi, K, Sachweh, J S, Groesdonk, H V, Demircan, L, Grossmann, M, Zund, G, Messmer, B J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-10-2001
• Subjects: Aortic Valve; Bioprosthesis; Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Fibrin; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Humans; Stress, Mechanical; Tissue Engineering - methods; Transplantation, Autologous; Tricuspid Valve
• ISSN: 0171-6425
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-17807

The use of fibrin gel, which can be produced from patients' blood, was investigated as an autologous, biodegradable scaffold. A new moulding technique was developed to create a complete aortic root.
A new moulding technique was generated for the creation of complete valve conduit. On the basis of biomechanical valve design studies, a tricuspid "ventricular" and "aortic" stamp were developed. A silicone-coated aluminum cylinder was used to circumferentially limit the mould. The cell/gel suspension was filled into the mould and polymerization was started.
The creation of complex structures such as complete valve conduits is possible with the moulding technique described. With a layer thickness of up to 2 mm, histological investigations showed excellent tissue development with viable fibroblasts surrounded by collagen bundles.
Fibrin gel unifies many properties of an ideal scaffold: The formation of complex structures is possible, the degradation and polymerization is controllable and the formation of the extracellular matrix is excellent.