Chelsea Gibbs
University of Utah Statement of Purpose: This report will look at the biomaterials used in the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Magna Ease Aortic Heart Valve (CEPME) (Edwards Lifesciences LLC, Irvine, CA) and some of the biocompatibility issues found with this device. The CEPME bioprosthesis is designed to replace a diseased aortic heart valve that is no longer functioning properly and the tissue cannot be repaired. This device is also used to replace old replacement heart valves that no longer exhibit biocompatibility. The CEPME was designed based off a previous heart valve, the Carpentier-Edwards Perimount Standard, to overcome some …show more content…
It is also a material that can be last a very long time in a high salt water and plasma environment since that was the environment the material originated from. However, the bovine pericardium is not nearly as durable as the pyrolytic carbon and can cause the valve to fail more easily due to calcification of the tissue or damage caused by continuous wear. Cobalt-chromium is used for the stent because it is a durable but still somewhat flexible material that allows the artificial valve to function more closely to that of the original tissue. A disadvantage to this alloy is the material will start to corrode over time since it was not made to sit in a high salt water environment. When the stent starts to corrode, the stent will need to be replaced. The sewing ring valve is made of a silicon rubber that is allows a surgeon’s suture to pass through to attach the valve to the patient’s own tissue without damage any of the valve’s other structures. The silicon rubber is also strong enough but also pliable enough to allow a heart surgeon to place the valve in the correct location and still have enough strength and structural integrity to stay in place. The silicon rubber does not easily calcify; however, the material can absorb lipids and cause