A SWINE MODEL FOR LONG‐TERM EVALUATION OF PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2007.04180.x
• Publication Date: 2007-07-17T13:51:53Z
• Authors: Demin Li; Bin‐Hui Ren; Yi Shen; Haiwei Wu; Changtian Wang; Lidong Zhang; Jiaquan Zhu; Hua Jing
• Keywords: Animal model; Mechanical heart; Mitral valve replacement; Heart valve replacement

Background: The objective of this study was to develop a porcine model mitral valve replacement (MVR) for long‐term evaluation prosthetic heart valves. Methods: Sixteen 25‐kg male Bama miniature pigs underwent MVR using St Jude Medical (21 mm). Each animal allocated an anticoagulation protocol after surgery (group I, s.c. heparin injection and warfarin ( n = 8); group II, low‐molecular‐weight 8)) followed up 20 weeks. Terminal studies were carried out on all animals having survived more than 140 days or died. Results: Fourteen 1 month without signs failure. One I died from haemorrhagic (haemopericardium) complications the 9th postoperative day, another 18th day because thrombosis. Conclusions: Compared with other species, humans show remarkable anatomical physiological similarities. This is promising preclinical valves anticoagulant agents.