Biological and mechanical behavior of autologous pericardium used for tricuspid valvular replacement in dogs

The fate of autologous pericardium when used to replace a tricuspid valve leaflet has been investigated in dogs. Changes have been studied by means of macroscopic, mechanical, histological, scanning electron microscopy, and in vitro culture techniques. In each of nine experiments the valve failed and death occurred within the first 15 post‐operative days. Retraction, thickening of the cusp, fibrinous deposition and/or tissue rupture were associated with a decrease of resistance to traction tests, decrease of elasticity and increase of viscosity of the implanted tissue. The early behavior of autologous pericardium was characterized by precocious inflammatory reaction on the valve leaflets, focal disruption of the collagenous structure of the leaflets, absence of fibroblastic cell infiltration as confirmed by in vitro culture of implanted pericardium and the lack of endothelial‐like cell surface at the 10th–15th postoperative day.