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Selected Works of Dr. Vivian McAlister O.C.
Article
Aortic valve grafts in the rat: evidence for rejection.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg (1997)
  • Ahmad Moustapha, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine
  • David Ross, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine
  • B Bittira, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine
  • D Vanvelzen, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine
  • C L Lannon, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine
  • Vivian C. McAlister
  • Tim D Lee, Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The histopathologic changes of fresh rat aortic valve allografts over time and the effect of cryopreservation were examined.
METHODS:
Fifty-six syngeneic and allogeneic rat aortic valves were transplanted, either fresh or after cryopreservation, and then at different time points they were explanted and histologically examined in a blinded fashion.
RESULTS:
Histopathologic changes in the first week are similar in syngeneic and allogeneic grafts. Fresh syngeneic grafts and leaflets retained normal structure up to 56 days. Allogeneic grafts showed retrovalvular thrombus formation with leaflet ghosts and neointimal proliferation. Cryopreservation did not alter this process.
CONCLUSIONS:
Cardiac allograft valves in the rat model undergo changes that are characteristic of cell-mediated rejection and lead to valve failure.
Keywords
  • Aortic valve,
  • atherosclerosis,
  • rejection,
  • allograft
Disciplines
Publication Date
1997
DOI
10.1016/S0022-5223(97)70002-3
Citation Information
Ahmad Moustapha, David Ross, B Bittira, D Vanvelzen, et al.. "Aortic valve grafts in the rat: evidence for rejection." J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg Vol. 114 Iss. 6 (1997) p. 891 - 902
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/vivianmcalister/249/