Structural and physico-chemical transformations of modified with epoxy resin pericardia implants

Abstract

Bovine pericardium samples modified with ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, designed for surgical correction of congenital heart defects and large blood vessels, were studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and differential thermal analysis. It was found that the initial samples of pericardium, before implantation, contain sites of disorganization of the collagen matrix, fragile fracture of collagen fibrils and destruction of the interstitial membranes promoting the penetration of immunocytes into the deep layers of the pericardium. Ossifying calcification with amorphized hydroxyapatite deposition and bone tissue formation as well as multiple erosions and hypertrophic proliferation in the endothelial membrane were detected in the implantation pericardium samples.