Pericardial Heterografts: A Method for Leaflet Mechanical Property Control

Abstract
Glutaraldehyde fixation of bovine pericardium produces a material which is more extensible than the natural tissue. Chemically modified pericardial sacs from 16–20 week old calves provide a region 12 000 mm2 in area which has relatively uniform properties. Tricuspid heterografts constructed from this material have maximal bending stresses at two sites associated with valve failure through mechanical tissue fatigue.