Biaxial Testing of Cadaveric and Decellularized Rat Heart Ventricles

Abstract

Whole organ decellularization is a promising technique to create 3D scaffolds necessary to generate bioartificial organs. However, due to the vital role of tissue mechanics in the contraction of the heart [3], it is necessary to assess the changes to the myocardium caused by decellularization. Previous studies have demonstrated that heart tissue is anisotropic [2]. Ventricle tissue fibers are aligned in the circumferential direction, and that orientation is preserved after decellularization [1]. The circumferential orientation of fibers is responsible for a higher stiffness in that direction than the longitudinal direction [1]. It has also been proved that decellularized tissues have a higher tangential modulus than cadaveric tissues [1].