Structure-related thrombosis involving a porcine xenograft valve

Biomaterials for implanted closed loop insulin delivery system: a review

The potential of five different groups of materials--carbons, glass and ceramics, polymers, hydrogels and collagen--as biomaterials in artificial implant applications is examined. In addition to the physical and/or structural properties of these materials, the blood and tissue responses to implants made of these biomaterials for various applications are presented. Emphasis is placed on materials related to the intended application; as catheter tips and biosensors for glucose to be used in conjunction with an implantable insulin delivery system as a complete artificial pancreas.

A complicated case of mitral valve disease

A patient with rheumatic mitral stenosis and previous cerebral embolism had a myocardial infarction during cardiac catheterisation. She later developed severe mitral regurgitation one year after open valvotomy and at valve replacement was found to have a papillary tumour of the mitral valve. Unexplained low cardiac output occurred four days after operation. Postmortem examination showed thrombotic occlusion of the xenograft prosthesis, a complication not previously seen with tissue valves. Both of these rare events were suggested by the patient's clinical course and could have been diagnosed with cross sectional echocardiography.