Immunological reactivity to a new glutaraldehyde tanned bovine pericardial heart valve.

The presence of pericardial specific antibodies directed against prosthetic bovine tissue heart valves was quantified by use of an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Serum samples containing antibodies displayed bright fluorescence when tagged with a secondary layer conjugated to FITC. Specific antibody production was undetectable in dogs or sheep who had undergone heart valve replacement (mitral or tricuspid) with a new unicusp prosthesis (Meadox Medicals Inc., NJ), as long as 17 mos following implantation. Similarly, anti-pericardial IgG was not detected in the serum of patients grafted with an analogous commercially available tissue heart valve, although in one patient the presence of low affinity IgM was suggested. This study documents the low immunological reactivity of this new tissue heart valve. Clinically valvular dysfunction due to an immunological response is not expected.