Month: August 2025

Giant right atrial myxoma emerging from the suprahepatic inferior vena cava, extending to the right atrium; a case report and literature review

Posted on by

Atrial myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors. In 20% of cases, they arise from the right atrium. Only a few such tumors are reported to have arisen from the inferior vena cava. We present the case…  Read More

Esophageal reconstruction using a hypopharyngeal anastomosis – a single center experience with review of the literature

Posted on by

Lye ingestion or other esophageal trauma may require surgical reconstruction. The hypopharyngeal anastomosis during esophageal reconstruction is a technically demanding procedure with many nuances in approach…  Read More.

Combinatorial Glyoxal Cross-Linking and Glutamic Acid Capping for Mitigating Calcification in Bovine Pericardium

Posted on by

Chem Asian J. 2025 Jul 21:e00652. doi: 10.1002/asia.202500652. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) offer advantages over mechanical valves but are limited by long-term degeneration and calcification. This study aimed to develop a durable BHV material using decellularized bovine pericardium (BP) and alternative cross-linking strategies. BP was decellularized using a combination of sodium deoxycholate (SDC) and Triton X-100 (TX), which removed cellular components while preserving the extracellular matrix (ECM), as confirmed by histological, DNA quantification, and biochemical analyses. The impact of glutaraldehyde, glyoxal, tannic acid, and catechin cross-linking on calcification propensity and mechanical properties was evaluated. Glyoxal-cross-linked BP, further capped with 1% l-glutamic acid, demonstrated superior resistance to calcification while maintaining mechanical properties comparable to standard glutaraldehyde treatment. These results suggest that SDC-TX decellularized, glyoxal-cross-linked BP with l-glutamic acid capping presents a promising strategy for enhancing BHV durability and biocompatibility, offering a potential alternative to conventional glutaraldehyde.

PMID:40686436 | DOI:10.1002/asia.202500652

Machine learning in predicting preoperative intra-aortic balloon pump use in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

Posted on by

Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) implantation in the perioperative period of cardiac surgery is an auxiliary treatment for cardiogenic shock. However, there is a lack of effective prediction models for preoper…  Read More

Combinatorial Glyoxal Cross-Linking and Glutamic Acid Capping for Mitigating Calcification in Bovine Pericardium

Posted on by

Chem Asian J. 2025 Jul 21:e00652. doi: 10.1002/asia.202500652. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) offer advantages over mechanical valves but are limited by long-term degeneration and calcification. This study aimed to develop a durable BHV material using decellularized bovine pericardium (BP) and alternative cross-linking strategies. BP was decellularized using a combination of sodium deoxycholate (SDC) and Triton X-100 (TX), which removed cellular components while preserving the extracellular matrix (ECM), as confirmed by histological, DNA quantification, and biochemical analyses. The impact of glutaraldehyde, glyoxal, tannic acid, and catechin cross-linking on calcification propensity and mechanical properties was evaluated. Glyoxal-cross-linked BP, further capped with 1% l-glutamic acid, demonstrated superior resistance to calcification while maintaining mechanical properties comparable to standard glutaraldehyde treatment. These results suggest that SDC-TX decellularized, glyoxal-cross-linked BP with l-glutamic acid capping presents a promising strategy for enhancing BHV durability and biocompatibility, offering a potential alternative to conventional glutaraldehyde.

PMID:40686436 | DOI:10.1002/asia.202500652

In vitro model assesses the susceptibility of polymeric scaffolds for material-driven heart valve regeneration to calcification

Posted on by

In Vitro Model. 2025 Jul 15;4(2):157-175. doi: 10.1007/s44164-025-00090-x. eCollection 2025 Aug.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Material driven in situ heart valve tissue engineering (HVTE) prospects an alternative to non-living replacements. HVTE exploits bioresorbable (synthetic) scaffolds that guide neo-tissue formation. Proper scaffold design assesses and mitigates potential material-related risks, such as calcific nodule formation. Herein, we establish an in vitro model to investigate the calcification risk of materials for HVTE.

METHODS: Calcification was studied by culturing 3D scaffolds with porcine valvular interstitial cells in a phosphate-enhanced calcification medium (CM) for 3 weeks. The model was applied by testing three electrospun polymeric Tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds (PCL, PCL-BU, and PC-BU) against a bovine pericardial patch control. Additionally, the model included a 10% cyclic strain environment to evaluate hemodynamic effects.

RESULTS: TE constructs showed significantly less calcification compared to the pericardial tissue control, mirroring in vivo animal model findings. No differences in calcification were observed among the TE constructs, and cyclic strain did not affect calcification.

CONCLUSION: The 3D in vitro model established in this study effectively mimics calcification in TE material constructs, aiding in systematic testing and comparison of cardiovascular TE materials. It can help understand calcification principles and evaluate potential risk factors (e.g., strain). As such, the model will support the design of biomaterials for in situ HVTE in particular and implantable polymer grafts in general.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s44164-025-00090-x.

PMID:40708815 | PMC:PMC12283539 | DOI:10.1007/s44164-025-00090-x

Bovine pericardial patch with reduced crosslinking time preserves matrix integrity and mitigates calcification in rat subcutaneous tissue

Posted on by

Cell Tissue Bank. 2025 Aug 27;26(3):37. doi: 10.1007/s10561-025-10188-x.

ABSTRACT

Prosthetic valves derived from bovine pericardium (BP) are crucial for heart valve replacement, yet current crosslinking methods with glutaraldehyde can lead to immune responses and calcification. This study evaluated the effects of reducing the glutaraldehyde crosslinking time from 10 to 5 days in bovine pericardial patches for use as heart valve substitutes. In addition to examining the physical properties of the BP, the study analyzed the biocompatibility, tissue structure, and calcification of the pericardial tissue. BPs were processed using two protocols based on the fixation time with glutaraldehyde: BP10d (10 days) and BP5d (5 days). All samples were treated with glutamic acid to neutralize residual aldehyde groups from the glutaraldehyde. Subsequently, the resulting material was assessed for mechanical and thermal properties and histologically using light and scanning electron microscopy. Post-implantation histological evaluation and calcium content determination were conducted after 7, 14, 30, 60 and 120 days. The calcification was a rare occurrence. However, some samples from the BP10d group displayed positive Von Kossa staining, indicating mineral deposition. Chemical analysis using ICP-OES revealed low calcium concentrations in the explants of both groups, with higher concentrations observed in the BP10d group during the later analysis periods. Mechanical and thermal stability assessments showed no significant differences between experimental groups. Histological examination revealed more collagen and elastic fibers deformation, and inflammation in the BP10d group compared to the BP5d group. The revised manufacturing protocol, with a 5-day fixation time, showed promising anti-calcifying activity, biocompatibility, and tissue preservation.

PMID:40864226 | DOI:10.1007/s10561-025-10188-x