New study launched to develop longer-lasting heart valves

A new research project is being launched to develop new and longer-lasting prosthetic heart valves for the treatment of heart disease.

Researchers at the University of Bristol have received funding from the British Heart Foundation to create new synthetic heart valves that are more resistant to irreversible damage and buildup of calcium that takes place over time and hardens the valve.

Heart valves play a vital role in healthy cardiac functioning by ensuring blood flows in the right direction. Disease or damage to heart valves can obstruct or restrict the flow of blood, or cause blood to leak backwards, creating serious health consequences.

With a grant of 188,000 pounds, the research will utilise cells taken from human veins in the leg, which have been shown to be naturally more resistant to calcium build-up. These cells will be used to engineer bio-scaffolds to mimic the environment of natural heart valves.

This will generate a new, more hardwearing heart valve, which will help heart disease patients to avoid the need for valve replacements and the intrusive procedure that can this involves, with open heart surgery often required.

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