Stent design and in vitro studies of homograft bioprostheses.

The need for mitral valve replacement for rheumatic mitral valve disease is high in our country. The available imported prostheses are expensive. Hence, we decided to develop a cloth covered flexible Delrin stent mounted, glutaraldehyde preserved homograft prosthesis at a low cost for mitral valve replacement. The design and development of the stent went through several modifications and were subjected to haemodynamic and fatigue testing after mounting. These stents have successfully completed the tests and they conform to the accepted standards of valve manufacture. An overview of the development and in vitro tests carried out, is presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]