Premium
Natural and Prosthetic Heart Valve Calcification: Morphology and Chemical Composition Characterization
Author(s) -
Weska Raquel F.,
Aimoli Cassiano G.,
Nogueira Grínia M.,
Leirner Adolfo A.,
Maizato Marina J.S.,
Higa Olga Z.,
Polakievicz Bronislaw,
Pitombo Ronaldo N.M.,
Beppu Marisa M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
artificial organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1525-1594
pISSN - 0160-564X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1594.2009.00858.x
Subject(s) - calcification , xanes , scanning electron microscope , characterization (materials science) , morphology (biology) , chemical composition , chemistry , materials science , in vivo , spectroscopy , mineralogy , nanotechnology , medicine , composite material , biology , organic chemistry , physics , quantum mechanics , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
Calcification is the most common cause of damage and subsequent failure of heart valves. Although it is a common phenomenon, little is known about it, and less about the inorganic phase obtained from this type of calcification. This article describes the scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and Ca K ‐edge X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) characterization performed in natural and bioprosthetic heart valves calcified in vivo (in comparison to in vitro‐calcified valves). SEM micrographs indicated the presence of deposits of similar morphology, and XANES results indicate, at a molecular level, that the calcification mechanism of both types of valves are probably similar, resulting in formation of poorly crystalline hydroxyapatite deposits, with Ca/P ratios that increase with time, depending on the maturation state. These findings may contribute to the search for long‐term efficient anticalcification treatments.