Effect of glutaraldehyde based cross-linking on the viscoelasticity of mitral valve basal chordae tendineae

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve failure can require repair or replacement. Replacement bioprosthetic valves are treated with glutaraldehyde prior to implantation. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in mechanical properties following glutaraldehyde fixation of mitral valve chordae. METHODS: To investigate the impact of glutaraldehyde on mitral valve chordae, 24 basal chordae were dissected from four porcine hearts. Anterior and posterior basal (including strut) chordae were used. All 24 chordae were subjected to a sinusoidally varying load (mean level 2N, dynamic amplitude 2N) over a frequency range of 0.5–10 Hz before and after glutaraldehyde treatment. RESULTS: The storage and loss modulus of all chordal types decreased following glutaraldehyde fixation. The storage modulus ranged from: 108 to 119 MPa before fixation and 67.3–87.4 MPa following fixation for basal chordae; 52.3–58.4 MPa before fixation and 47.9–53.5 MPa following fixation for strut chordae. Similarly, the loss modulus ranged from: 5.47 to 6.25 MPa before fixation and 3.63–4.94 MPa following fixation for basal chordae; 2.60–2.97 MPa before fixation and 2.31–2.93 MPa following fixation for strut chordae. CONCLUSION: The viscoelastic properties of mitral valve chordae are affected by glutaraldehyde fixation; in particular, the reduction in storage moduli decreased with an increase in chordal diameter.