Feasibility of New Artificial Biologic Patch as Aortic Valve Replacement

  Objective  To study the feasibility of artificial biologic patch made of collagen membranes loaded with collagen-binding base fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) as aortic valve replacement.

  Methods  Ten healthy mongrel dogs were randomly divided into control group and experiment group (both n=5). Abdominal aorta replacement using artificial biologic patch made of collagen membranes loaded with collagen-binding bFGF (experiment group) or soaked with phosphate buffered saline (control group) was performed under general anesthesia and abdominal aorta blockage. Three months after the surgery, echocardiography was performed to evaluate the function of the artificial valve. Six months after the surgery, the condition of the artificial valve transplanted in the abdominal aorta was observed.

  Results  No significant difference was found between the experiment group and the control group in function of the artificial valve evaluated by echocardiography 3 months after the surgery. The artificial valves entirely degraded 6 months after implanted into the abdominal aorta in both groups.

  Conclusion  The degradation of artificial biologic patch made of collagen membrane loaded with collagen-binding bFGF in vivo is so fast that it is not a good alternative for replacement of the aortic valve.