Pre-Use Intraoperative Testing of Autologous Tissue for Valvular
Surgery: A Proof of Concept Study
James G. Hanlon MS, Robert W. Suggit BS, Jack W. Love DPhil

The mechanical properties of autologous pericardium used for heart valve repair, reconstruction, or bioprosthesis construction should be known by the operating surgeons before they commit to its use. There is currently no way to assess those properties in the operating room. Standard laboratory methods are not practical for intraoperative use because of the size of the equipment used and the time required for testing. We report the development of optical and mechanical methodology for rapid measurement of tissue thickness, strength and isotropy/anisotropy in the operating room. The goal is to distinguish suitable from unsuitable tissue. All of the groups that have used autologous pericardium for valvular surgery have reported a significant incidence of need for reoperation. The introduction of quality control of pericardium in the operating room should increase the success of valvular surgery with autologous tissue.