Development and characterization of a decellularised xenogeneic mitral valve scaffold

Introduction: Mitral valve regurgitation is the second most common cause of surgery of the heart valves. Current treatment options are imperfect, requiring re-operations or lifelong anticoagulation therapy. The aim of this work was to develop and characterize a decellularised mitral valve scaffold for mitral valve replacement. Methods: Mitral valves from 6 month old pigs were disinfected, placed in hypotonic buffer and treated with SDS and sodium de-oxycholate for 36 hours, followed by extensive washing and nucleic acid digestion. Radial sections comprising annulus, leaflets, chordae tendinae, and papillary musc…