Development of Calcification-resistant Bovine Pericardium with PEO-SO3 (II): An implantation study of bovine pericardium at artery and peritoneum

Kim, Hyoung Mook; Baek, Man Jong; Kim, Kwang Taik; Lee, In Sung; Kim, Hak Jae; Lee, Won Gyu; Park, Gee Dong

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Calcific degeneration limits durabilities of the bioprosthetic tissues implanted in the human body. The direct coupling sulphonated polyethyleneoxide (PEO-SO3) to the bioprosthetic tissues after glutaraldehyde (GA) fixation and the removal of residual aldehyde groups from the tissues can augment the effect of calcification-resistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To study the anti-calcification effect by PEO-SO3 modification and the removal of the residual aldehyde groups of tissues, surface modified bovine pericardia (BP-PEO-SO3) were preserved in aseptic saline to wash out GA (saline group) and 0.65% GA solution (GA group). And then above two groups and PERIGUARD (Bio-vascular. Co.) (product group) were evaluated with respects to calcium contents and microscopic findings using in vivo implantation models at carotid and femoral artery and peritoneum of 8 adult dogs. RESULTS: In the tissues retrieved from carotid artery, calcium content was significantly decreased in saline group than in other two groups (saline; 2.89+/-0.31 vs. GA; 6.14+/-1.08 vs. product; 22.82+/-5.00 mg/g of dried tissue; p<0.05). In the tissues retrieved from femoral artery and peritoneum, calcium amount was also decreased in saline group than in other two groups, but not reached the significant difference between groups. On the other hand, the pathologic findings of pericardial tissues showed marked destructuction in GA group compared to the other two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
In this study, covalently PEO-SO3 bound to bovine pericardium decreased calcifications and the anti-calcification effect of BP-PEO-SO3 could be augmented by the washing out the residual aldehyde groups using saline after GA fixation. Conclusively, the PEO-SO3 modified bovine pericardium is highly resistant to calcification and can be useful for the development of calcification-resistant cardiovascular patches and valves.