Abstract: Objective To examine the cell viability and hemodynamic functions of the stented homograft valves preserved in liquid nitrogen. Methods Cell viability of the stented homograft valve preserved in liquid nitrogen after 3 months of preservation (experimental group，n=6) was examined using flow cytometer. Fresh homografts served as control group (n=6). We prepared three sorts of stented homograft valve(21#, 23#, 25#) preserved by liquid nitrogen. In vitro pulsatile flow tests were performed on valves of two groups. Effective opening area EOA),transvalve pressure gradient and regurgitation ratio were recorded at various flow volume, and compare with Perfect bioprosthetic valve. Results The results revealed that the death ratio of endothelial cell was 10.24%±1.71% in the experimental group, and 9.09%±2.72% in the control group (P=0.441). The death ratio of smooth muscle cell was 8.76%±1.82% in the experimental group, and 7.84%±0.59% (P=0.178) in the control group. The death ratio of total cell was 8.79%±1.44% in the experimental group, and 7.40%±0.49% in the control group (P=0.072). There were no significantly differences between two groups. The transvalve pressure gradient of two groups of valve depended on the flow volume, and increased with the flow volume increasing. The transvalve pressure gradient of the stented homograft valve was higher than that of Perfect valve. Regurgitation ratio of the stented homograft valve was bigger than Perfect valve’s. EOA had an increasing character when flow volume increased. EOA of the stented homograft valve was smaller than that of Perfect valve’s. Conclusion Liquid nitrogen can offer the benefit of cell viability of the stented homograft bioprosthetic valves. The stented homograft valve has salisfactory hemodynamic functions.
