Is the Tricuspid Position Suitable for Testing Replacement Bioprosthetic Valves in the Sheep Model?
Elena Pettenazzo PhD, BSc, Gaetano Thiene MD, Antonietta M. Gatti BSc, Enrico Pasquino BSc, Enrico Talenti MD, Giorgio Noera MD, Tomaso Bottio MD, Marialuisa Valente MD

Seven stented uninfected Pericarbon® valves (four HA-treated, three standard) were studied after tricuspid implantation in growing sheep at 91 days (three mid-term explants) and 140-141 days (four late explants). The tricuspid implant failed to reproduce remarkable accelerated calcification in all xenografts, and should be abandoned as the site for testing replacement bioprosthetic valves. The experiment should be repeated with valves implanted in the mitral position.