New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Hybrid heart valve is strong, durable in early tests

Date:
November 18, 2013
Source:
American Heart Association
Summary:
A hybrid heart valve created from thin and highly elastic mesh embedded within layers of human cells was strong and durable in a study.
Share:
FULL STORY

A hybrid heart valve created from thin and highly elastic mesh embedded within layers of human cells was strong and durable in a study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013.

Researchers created a three-dimensional cell culture by coating a scaffold of nickel-titanium alloy (Nitinol), used for devices that require flexibility and motion, with layers of smooth muscle, connective tissue and lining cells. The valves performed well in a heart simulator, opening and closing under various pressures and remaining stable and strong throughout the tests.

A durable, regenerating hybrid heart valve would be an important advance because previous attempts to create tissue-engineered heart valves from patients' cells have been unsatisfactory. All the prior methods entail significant limitations due to structural vulnerability, short-term functionality and mechanical properties of the tissue-engineered valves.


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Heart Association. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

American Heart Association. "Hybrid heart valve is strong, durable in early tests." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 November 2013. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131118081257.htm>.
American Heart Association. (2013, November 18). Hybrid heart valve is strong, durable in early tests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131118081257.htm
American Heart Association. "Hybrid heart valve is strong, durable in early tests." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131118081257.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES