Histological studies on cultured canine heart valves recovered from −196 °C

• Published in: Cryobiology Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 15 - 22
• Main Authors: Rajotte, R.V., Shnitka, T.K., Liburd, E.M., Dossetor, J.B., Voss, W.A.G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 1977
• ISSN: 0011-2240; 1090-2392
• DOI: 10.1016/0011-2240(77)90118-3

Adult canine heart valves have been frozen to −196 °C, (0.5 to 0.7 °C/min from 0 to −100 °C) with 10% DMSO ( v v ), stored, thawed at ~150 °C/min, and then cultured for 9 to 12 days. A histological analysis of sections derived from several valves indicates viability, but with a not inconsiderable loss of stromal fibrocytes and some damage to the endothelial lining. The practicality of freezing valve tissue for banking will have to be looked at critically, before valve transplants can be considered as a possible alternative to the well established use of mechanical valve prosthesis. However, demonstrating viability of heart valve tissue extends the range of tissues that are amenable to cryopreservation.