The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 2020
Failure of decellularized porcine small intestinal submucosa as a heart valved conduit.
Decellularized extracellular matrix made from porcine small intestinal submucosa, commercially available as CorMatrix (CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc, Roswell, Ga) is used off-label to reconstruct heart valves. Recently, surgeons experienced failures and words of caution were raised. The aim of this study was to evaluate decellularized porcine small intestinal submucosa as right-sided heart valved conduit in a xenogeneic animal model. ⋯ Fifty percent of sheep and 20% of lambs died due to valve failure before the planned follow-up period was complete. A well-functioning valve was seen in 35% of animals, albeit with limited signs of tissue remodeling at ≤3 months after implantation. Further analysis is needed to understand the disturbing dichotomous outcome before clinical application can be advised.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 2020
Editorial CommentCommentary: The bigger the better, in everything.