Nanofiber-reinforced biological conduit in cardiac surgery: preliminary report

Abstract

Several options are available for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction, including commercially available bovine jugular vein and cryo-preserved homografts. Homograft non-availability and the problems of commercially available conduits led us to develop indigenously processed bovine jugular vein conduits with competent valves. They were made completely acellular and strengthened by non-conventional cross-linking without disturbing the extracellular matrix, which improved the luminal surface characteristics for hemocompatibility. Biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo, along with thermal stability, matrix stability, and mechanical strength have been evaluated. Sixty-nine patients received these conduits for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction. Seven conduits dilated and 4 required replacement. To counteract dilatation, biodegradable polymeric nanofibers in various combinations and in isolation (collagen, polycaprolactone, polylactic acid) were characterized and used to reinforce the conduit circumferentially. Physical validation by mechanical testing, scanning electron microscopy, and in-vitro cytotoxicity was conducted. Thermal stability, spectroscopy studies of the polymer, and preclinical studies of the coated bovine jugular vein in animals are in progress. The feasibility studies have been completed, and the final polymer selection depends on evaluation of the functional superiority of the coated bovine jugular vein.

Nanofiber-reinforced myocardial tissue-construct as ventricular assist device

“…The acellular scaffold was coated with electrospun nanofibers of poly-(L) lactic acid (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA), polycapronolactone (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA), and collagen blend (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA). 8 The nanofibers were generated at random to coat the processed muscle sheet. The nanofiber coating was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, and porosity was also determined.…”

Current development of bovine jugular vein conduit for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction

“…Guhathakurta et al made particular efforts to counteract the aforementioned risks of dilatation, by electrospinning circumferentially oriented nanofibres onto the external surface of decellularized BJVC. The polymeric nanofibres (poly-caprolactone, poly-lactic acid and collagen type I) gave the BJVC extra resistance to dilatation while still keeping it biocompatible ( Guhathakurta et al, 2011 ). In terms of physical reinforcement, the conduit manufacturers actually have more pragmatic solutions.…”

Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction: a quest for ideal management

“…Thermal stability, spectroscopy studies of the polymer, and preclinical studies of the coated BJV in animals are in progress to identify the final polymer selection. 59 Flameng and colleagues 60 studied decellularized bovine aortic homografts coated with stromal cell-derived factor-1α and fibronectin, implanted in the RVOT of adolescent sheep. They showed that the coating stimulated reendothelialization and prevented immune responses, conduit calcification, and pannus formation.…”