Pericardial reconstruction using extracellular matrix biological scaffolds in a preclinical porcine model

ALEJANDRO NIEPONICE ; MAURICIO RAMIREZ; JUAN MARTIN RIGANTI; ARIEL PASCANER; CECILIA ZUBIETA; DAMIAN CRAIEM; FRANCO CIOTOLA; AMIGO NATALIA

Buenos Aires

Congreso; Segunda Reunión Conjunta de Sociedades de BioCiencias; 2017

Sociedades de BioCiencias. SAFIS

PERICARDIAL RECONSTRUCTION USING EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX BIOLOGICAL SCAFFOLDS IN A PRECLINICAL PORCINE MODELClosing the pericardium after cardiac surgery is recommended to prevent postoperative adhesions to the sternum. However, it is frequently not possible. Synthetic materials have been used as substitutes, with limited results due to impaired remodeling and fibrotic tissue formation. Extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds, recruit and facilitate the incorporation of native cells to promote constructive remodeling that resemble more the native tissue.Aims: Evaluate the host response to ECM scaffolds in pericardium defects closure after cardiac surgery, with focus in magnitude, strength and quality of adhesions and epicardial retraction.10 Landrace pigs were subjected to median sternotomy and a 5x7cm pericardial defect was created. The test group (n=6) was subjected to ECM repair with an 8 layer device of 5x7cm. Animals in control group (n=4) were left with an open defect. Animals were euthanized at 8 weeks. Endpoints included cardiac function (Doppler ultrasound), gross morphology with adhesion assessment, mechanical testing and histology.Softer adhesions were found in ECM group, but strong adhesions and injury of the coronary bed were found in control group. The load at failure showed no differences between the ECM and native pericardium (199.9±59,2g vs. 405.3± 99.89g P=0.0536), but tissue was weaker than native pericardium (44.23±15.01g/mm vs. 146.5±24.38g/mm P