Following a full heart transplant on an 11-year-old patient, their valves were donated to a 14-year old patient and a now 9-year-old patient, according to a Feb. 27 news release from Duke Health.
“The current standard of care for pediatric heart valve replacement uses preserved non-living tissue or mechanical valves, which do not grow along with the child,” the release said. “As a result, recipients require multiple future valve replacement surgeries and blood thinners for mechanical valves.”
Research shows the living valves can continue to grow as the patient grows, according to the release.
Atlanta-based Georgia Tech researchers said they have developed a 3D-printed, bioresorbable heart valve that promotes tissue regeneration within the heart.
