Pulsed cavitation ultrasound (PCU) can be used to remotely soften human degenerative calcified biosprosthetic valves and may significantly improve the valve opening function, according to a study published June 16 in JACC: Basic to Translational Science.

Olivier Villemain, MD, et al., examined the effects of PCU on human bioprosthetic heart valves that were removed from patients because they were heavily calcified and were non-functional. PCU, also called histotripsy, uses short-pulses of focused high pressure ultrasound to soften biological tissue. The ultrasound is delivered by a transducer that can be placed outside of the body and directed in a focused manner to the area of interest.

The removed valves were surgically implanted in sheep or were studied in an experimental bath apparatus in order to examine the longer-term effects of PCU. The researchers found that the PCU was able to soften the stiff calcified valves and improve the function of the valves. The amount of stenosis of the calcified aortic valves decreased by about two-fold on average in both the animal model and the experimental apparatus. The researchers believe that this new noninvasive approach has the potential to improve the outcome of patients with severe calcified bioprosthesis stenosis by avoiding risky surgical or transcatheter reintervention.

This study was designed as a proof of concept study and did not evaluate the potential risk of PCU causing pieces of the calcified aortic valve breaking off and causing an embolic stroke.

"The results of this experimental study must be regarded as provisional because neither the safety nor efficacy of this technique have been evaluated in humans," commented Douglas L. Mann, MD, FACC, editor-in-chief of JACC: Basic to Translational Science. "However, the concept of using high energy ultrasound to restore the function of calcified artificial tissue valves, analogous to the manner in which nephrologists use ultrasound to break up kidney stones, is both provocative and exciting. The ultrasound devices to perform this type of therapy exist today, so the ability to translate these concepts to patients can move very quickly."

Keywords: Animals, Aortic Valve, Aortic Valve Stenosis, Baths, Bioprosthesis, Calcinosis, Constriction, Pathologic, High-Energy Shock Waves, Kidney Calculi, Models, Animal, Research Personnel, Stroke, Sheep, Domestic

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