Tissue engineering of cardiac valve prostheses I: development and histological characterization of an acellular porcine scaffold.

Abstract

Protocols utilizing SDS or sodium deoxycholate were successful for leaflet decellularization, and histological analysis showed that the major structural components of the valve matrix had been maintained. These methods are being developed further with a view to reseeding with autologous cells to produce tissue-engineered solutions for clinical implantation.