[en] The sole effective treatment for most patients with heart valve disease is valve replacement by implantation of mechanical or biological prostheses. However, mechanical valves represent high risk of thromboembolism, and biological prostheses are prone to early degeneration. In this work, we aim to determine the potential of novel environmentally-friendly non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) for manufacturing synthetic prosthetic heart valves. Polyhydroxyurethane (PHU) NIPUs are synthesized via an isocyanate-free route, tested in vitro, and used to produce aortic valves. PHU elastomers reinforced with a polyester mesh show mechanical properties similar to native valve leaflets. These NIPUs do not cause hemolysis. Interestingly, both platelet adhesion and contact activation-induced coagulation are strongly reduced on NIPU surfaces, indicating low thrombogenicity. Fibroblasts and endothelial cells maintain normal growth and shape after indirect contact with NIPUs. Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) allows modeling of the ideal valve design, with minimal shear stress on the leaflets. Injection-molded valves are tested in a pulse duplicator and show ISO-compliant hydrodynamic performance, comparable to clinically-used bioprostheses. Poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTHF)-NIPU patches do not show any evidence of calcification over a period of 8 weeks. NIPUs are promising sustainable biomaterials for the manufacturing of improved prosthetic valves with low thrombogenicity.
Disciplines :
Cardiovascular & respiratory systems
Author, co-author :
Ferreira Melo, Sofia ; Université de Liège - ULiège > GIGA > GIGA Cardiovascular Sciences - Cardiology
Ditkowski, Bartosz ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cliniques > Cardiologie - Pathologie spéciale et réhabilitation
Gustin, Maxime ; Université de Liège - ULiège > GIGA > GIGA Cardiovascular Sciences - Cardiology
Legrand, Maxime ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'aérospatiale et mécanique > Metallic materials for additive manufacturing ; Sirris, Liège Science Park, Rue du Bois Saint-Jean 12, 4102 Seraing, Belgium
Tullemans, Bibian M E; Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Brouns, Sanne L N; Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Nchimi Longang, Alain ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cliniques > Cardiologie - Pathologie spéciale et réhabilitation
Carrus, Raoul; Sirris, Liège Science Park, Rue du Bois Saint-Jean 12, 4102 Seraing, Belgium
Dejosé, Astrid; Sirris, Liège Science Park, Rue du Bois Saint-Jean 12, 4102 Seraing, Belgium
Heemskerk, Johan W M; Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Kuijpers, Marijke J E; Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Ritter, Jan; Department of Cardiovascular Engineering, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Steinseifer, Ulrich; Department of Cardiovascular Engineering, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Clauser, Johanna C ; Department of Cardiovascular Engineering, Institute of Applied Medical Engineering, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 20, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Jérôme, Christine ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de chimie (sciences) > Chimie des macromolécules et des matériaux organiques (CERM)
Lancellotti, Patrizio ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cliniques > Cardiologie - Pathologie spéciale et réhabilitation
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE] Fonds Léon Fredericq [BE] FRIA - Fonds pour la Formation à la Recherche dans l'Industrie et dans l'Agriculture [BE] Stichting Euregio Maas-Rijn [BE]