Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement from Autologous Pericardium with a Self-Expandable Nitinol Stent in an Adult Sheep Model

Summary

This study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of developing an autologous pulmonary valve for implantation at the native pulmonary valve position by using a self-expandable Nitinol stent in an adult sheep model. This is a step toward developing transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement for patients with right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction.

Abstract

Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement has been established as a viable alternative approach for patients suffering from right ventricular outflow tract or bioprosthetic valve dysfunction, with excellent early and late clinical outcomes. However, clinical challenges such as stented heart valve deterioration, coronary occlusion, endocarditis, and other complications must be addressed for lifetime application, particularly in pediatric patients. To facilitate the development of a lifelong solution for patients, transcatheter autologous pulmonary valve replacement was performed in an adult sheep model. The autologous pericardium was harvested from the sheep via left anterolateral minithoracotomy under general anesthesia with ventilation. The pericardium was placed on a 3D shaping heart valve model for non-toxic cross-linking for 2 days and 21 h. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and angiography were performed to assess the position, morphology, function, and dimensions of the native pulmonary valve (NPV). After trimming, the crosslinked pericardium was sewn onto a self-expandable Nitinol stent and crimped into a self-designed delivery system. The autologous pulmonary valve (APV) was implanted at the NPV position via left jugular vein catheterization. ICE and angiography were repeated to evaluate the position, morphology, function, and dimensions of the APV. An APV was successfully implanted in sheep J. In this paper, sheep J was selected to obtain representative results. A 30 mm APV with a Nitinol stent was accurately implanted at the NPV position without any significant hemodynamic change. There was no paravalvular leak, no new pulmonary valve insufficiency, or stented pulmonary valve migration. This study demonstrated the feasibility and safety, in a long-time follow-up, of developing an APV for implantation at the NPV position with a self-expandable Nitinol stent via jugular vein catheterization in an adult sheep model.

Introduction

Bonhoeffer et al.¹ marked the beginning of transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) in 2000 as a rapid innovation with significant progress toward minimizing complications and providing an alternative therapeutic approach. Since then, the use of TPVR for treating the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) or bioprosthetic valve dysfunction has increased rapidly^2,3. To date, the TPVR devices currently available on the market have provided satisfying long-term and short-term results for patients with RVOT dysfunction^4,5

Protocol

This preclinical study approved by the legal and ethical committee of the Regional Office for Health and Social Affairs, Berlin (LAGeSo). All animals (Ovis aries) received humane care in compliance with the guidelines of the European and German Laboratory Animal Science Societies (FELASA, GV-SOLAS). The procedure is illustrated by performing autologous pulmonary valve replacement in a 3-year-old, 47 kg, female sheep J.

1. Preoperative management

1. House all experimental sheep in the same room containing straw for 1 week from the day of arrival to the pericardiectomy day to maintain social companionsh....

Results

In sheep J, the APV (30 mm in diameter) were successfully implanted in the "landing zone" of the RVOT.

In sheep J, the hemodynamics remained stable throughout the left anterolateral minithoracotomy under general anesthesia with ventilation, as well as in the follow-up MRI and ICE (Table 1, Table 2, and Table 3). Autologous pericardium measuring 9 cm x 9 cm was harvested and trimmed by removing extra tissue (Figure 3A

Discussion

This study represents an important step forward in developing a living pulmonary valve for TPVR. In an adult sheep model, the method was able to show that an APV derived from the sheep's own pericardium can be implanted with a self-expandable Nitinol stent via jugular vein catheterization. In sheep J, the stented autologous pulmonary valve was successfully implanted in the correct pulmonary position using a self-designed universal delivery system. After implantation, the heart valve of sheep J showed go.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
10 % Magnesium	Inresa Arzneimittel GmbH	PZN: 00091126	0.02 mol/ L, 10X10 ml
10 Fr Ultrasound catheter	Siemens Healthcare GmbH	SKU  10043342RH	ACUSON AcuNav™ ultrasound catheter
3D Slicer	Slicer	Slicer 4.13.0-2021-08-13	Software: 3D Slicer image computing platform
Adobe Illustrator	Adobe	Adobe Illustrator 2021	Software
Amiodarone	Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH	PZN: 4599382	3- 5 mg/ kg, 150 mg/ 3 ml
Amplatz ultra-stiff guidewire	COOK MEDICAL LLC, USA	Reference Part Number:THSF-35-145-AUS	0.035 inch, 145 cm
Anesthetic device platform	Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA	8621500	Dräger Atlan A350
ARROW Berman Angiographic Balloon Catheter	Teleflex Medical Europe Ltd	LOT: 16F16M0070	5Fr, 80cm (X)
Butorphanol	Richter Pharma AG	Vnr531943	0.4mg/kg
C-Arm	BV Pulsera, Philips Heathcare, Eindhoven, The Netherlands	CAN/CSA-C22.2 NO.601.1-M90	Medical electral wquipment
Crimping tool	Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA	9600CR	Crimper
CT	Siemens Healthcare GmbH	−	CT platform
Dilator	Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA	9100DKSA	14- 22 Fr
Ethicon Suture	Ethicon	LOT:MKH259	4- 0 smooth monophilic thread, non-resorbable
Ethicon Suture	Ethicon	LOT:DEE274	3-0, 45 cm
Fast cath hemostasis introducer	ST. JUDE MEDICAL Minnetonka MN	LOT Number: 3458297	11 Fr
Fentanyl	Janssen-Cilag Pharma GmbH	DE/H/1047/001-002	0.01mg/kg
Fragmin	Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Berlin, Germany	PZN: 5746520	Dalteparin 5000 IU/ d
Functional screen	BV Pulsera, Philips Heathcare, Eindhoven, The Netherlands	System ID: 44350921	Medical electral wquipment
Glycopyrroniumbromid	Accord Healthcare B.V	PZN11649123	0.011mg/kg
Guide Wire M	TERUMO COPORATION JAPAN	REF*GA35183M	0.89 mm, 180 cm
Hemochron Celite ACT	International Technidyne Corporation, Edison, USA	NJ 08820-2419	ACT
Heparin	Merckle GmbH	PZN: 3190573	Heparin-Natrium 5.000 I.E./0,2 ml
Hydroxyethyl starch (Haes-steril 10 %)	Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH	ATC Code: B05A	500 ml, 30 ml/h
Imeron 400 MCT	Bracco Imaging	PZN00229978	2.0–2.5 ml/kg, Contrast agent
Isoflurane	CP-Pharma Handelsges. GmbH	ATCvet Code: QN01AB06	250 ml, MAC: 1 %
Jonosteril Infusionslösung	Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH	PZN: 541612	1000 ml
Ketamine	Actavis Group PTC EHF	ART.-Nr. 799-762	2–5 mg/kg/h
Meloxicam	Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH	M21020A-09	20 mg/ mL, 50 ml
Midazolam	Hameln pharma plus GMBH	MIDAZ50100	0.4mg/kg
MRI	Philips Healthcare	−	Ingenia Elition X, 3.0T
Natriumchloride (NaCl)	B. Braun Melsungen AG	PZN /EAN:04499344 / 4030539077361	0.9 %, 500 ml
Pigtail catheter	Cordis, Miami Lakes, FL, USA	REF: 533-534A	5.2 Fr 145 °, 110 cm
Propofol	B. Braun Melsungen AG	PZN 11164495	20mg/ml, 1–2.5 mg/kg
Propofol	B. Braun Melsungen AG	PZN 11164443	10mg/ml, 2.5–8.0 mg/kg/h
Safety IV Catheter with Injection port	B. Braun Melsungen AG	LOT: 20D03G8346	18 G Catheter with Injection port
Sulbactam- ampicillin	Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Berlin, Germany	PZN: 4843132	3 g, 2.000 mg/ 1.000 mg
Sulbactam/ ampicillin	Instituto Biochimico Italiano G Lorenzini S.p.A. – Via Fossignano 2, Aprilia (LT) – Italien	ATC Code: J01CR01	20 mg/kg, 2 g/1 g
Surgical Blade	Brinkmann Medical ein Unternehmen der Dr. Junghans Medical GmbH	PZN: 354844	15 #
Surgical Blade	Brinkmann Medical ein Unternehmen der Dr. Junghans Medical GmbH	PZN: 354844	11 #
Suture	Johnson & Johnson	Hersteller Artikel Nr. EH7284H	5-0 polypropylene