Resorbable Matrix Valves

Using a trileaflet scaffold of polyglycolic-acid mesh, scientists were able to grow heart valves for lambs by seeding with endothelial cells and placing in a bioreactor.  The valve was able to grow into the shape and structure of the scaffold showing synchronous opening and closing of the valve.  “All leaflets were intact, mobile, and pliable, and the valve constructs were competent during valve closure.”  The results of testing in vivo showed “no evidence of thrombus, stenosis or aneurysm formation up to 20 weeks after implantation” (Bacha et al.). 

Finished heart valve after 14 days in bioreactor (Bacha et al.).

Stress versus strain of engineered tissue and the native heart valve (Bacha et al.).

 These scaffold grown valves offer the hope that they can replace the damaged or diseased valves with living tissue that can grow, prevent calcification, and prevent immune system response.  These valves offer very similar mechanical characteristics as the original valve as tested at 20 weeks (see figure above).  In the future, this technology will be used to try to find a solution for human heart valve replacement (Bacha et al.).