In-Vivo Bacterial Adherence to Intracardiac Prosthetic Materials: A New Experimental Model
Walter Benno Eichinger MD, Gertrud Goppel, Nikolaus Mendler MD, Johann Mattes MD, Erwin Lankes, Florian Botzenhardt, Robert Bauernschmitt MD, Rüdiger Lange MD

A new experimental endocarditis model was developed that enables quantitative in-vivo testing of bacterial adherence to prosthetic materials within a short time period. Different patches (Dacron, glutaraldehyde-fixed pericardium, cryopreserved allograft) were placed on the mitral valve of rabbits, creating mitral insufficiency. At 6 h after surgery, Staphylococcus aureus was administered intravenously. Postmortem examination and further analysis were carried out 48 h after bacterial inoculation. The results suggest that, with regard to avoiding the development of bacterial endocarditis, biomaterials have no advantage over Dacron.