The development of artificial heart valves has been one of the most significant advancements in modern medicine, saving countless lives and improving quality of life for patients with heart valve disease.
Early innovations focused on mechanical valves, which provided durability but came with important drawbacks, including the need for lifelong anticoagulant therapy. As researchers worked to find more natural solutions, they discovered an unlikely but highly effective source — porcine heart valves.
How Porcine Tissues Became the Preferred Biological Option
It’s not an overstatement to say the introduction of porcine heart valves revolutionized valve replacement surgery. Pig heart valves closely resemble human heart valves in both structure and function, making them an ideal biological option for patients who are not good candidates for mechanical valves.
The first successful xenograft replacement of a human aortic valve was performed in Paris in 1965, followed by 61 more valve replacements by January 1968. While early replacements had a high failure rate, further studies helped reduce both technical and histological issues and successfully decreased fail rates. In five years, the percentage of well-functioning heart valves had increased to between 77% and 96%, based on their position within the heart (mitral, aortic, or tricuspid).
Porcine pericardial tissue — the thin, tough membrane surrounding the pig heart — has also emerged as a valuable material for creating pericardial tissue heart valves. These valves offer excellent flexibility and natural movement, closely mimicking the performance of native human valves.
The physiological and anatomical similarities between pigs and humans make porcine tissue particularly well-suited for heart valve replacement. Porcine pericardial tissue is also readily available, which results in widespread availability of valves, reduces their cost, and helps improve patient outcomes.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Porcine and Pericardial Tissue Heart Valves
While valves made from porcine tissues offer significant advantages over mechanical valves, there are still scenarios where they may not be the best choice. Understanding the implications of either choice — biological or mechanical — is imperative in making the right choice for individual patients.
Key benefits of porcine valves include:
- Natural hemodynamics: Blood flows smoothly through porcine pericardial tissue heart valves, more closely mimicking the function of natural valves compared to mechanical alternatives.
- Size compatibility: Pig heart valves and pericardial tissue closely match the size and structure of human valves, making them easier to implant than other biological choices.
- Reduced need for anticoagulants: Unlike mechanical valves, pericardial tissue heart valves typically do not require lifelong blood thinners, making them ideal for older patients or those with bleeding risks.
Disadvantages that should be considered:
- Lifespan: Biological valves will have to be replaced eventually, with porcine valves lasting 10 to 15 years on average. The actual lifespan depends on the individual patient and their lifestyle.
- Higher risk of reoperation: Because of their shorter lifespan, biological valves may necessitate more than one operation, especially in patients under the age of 60.
- Potential for calcification: Any biological valve will be more prone to calcification than a mechanical valve, which can stiffen the valve and reduce its function. However, new anti-calcification studies seek to reduce this risk.
The Future of Porcine Tissue in Heart Valve Technology
Today, porcine tissue heart valves play an essential role in both traditional surgical valve replacement and minimally invasive procedures. In particular, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) frequently relies on pericardial tissue heart valves for their flexibility and durability, allowing for valve replacement without open-heart surgery.
Ongoing research continues to refine the use of porcine tissue in heart valve development. Innovations such as decellularized porcine pericardial tissue heart valves — which remove cellular components to reduce the risk of rejection — and hybrid designs combining porcine pericardial tissue with synthetic materials may further enhance performance, durability, and patient outcomes.
The introduction of porcine heart valves and pericardial tissue heart valves has transformed the field of valve replacement, offering patients safer, more natural options that improve both quality of life and long-term outcomes. As research continues to advance, porcine tissue — especially pericardial tissue — will remain a cornerstone of innovation in cardiac care.
Partnering for Innovation in Cardiac Care
At Tissue Source, we recognize the critical role high-quality porcine tissues play in advancing cardiac research, medical device development, and surgical education. Our extensive selection of porcine tissues, including pericardial tissue and whole heart components, supports the evolving needs of researchers, clinicians, and educators alike.
We provide:
- Tailored Solutions: Whether you require pericardial tissue for heart valve development, whole porcine hearts for surgical training, or custom-processed tissues for research applications, we offer flexible, customizable options to meet your exact needs.
- Full Traceability and Quality Assurance: For projects that demand traceability to individual animals or lots, we ensure complete transparency and documentation. For research that does not require traceability, we focus on delivering cost-effective solutions while maintaining our high quality standards.
- Commitment to Advancing Cardiac Innovation: Our team is dedicated to supporting breakthroughs in cardiac care by providing ethically sourced, expertly processed porcine tissues that meet the stringent requirements of medical research, device development, and educational programs.
Contact us today to learn how Tissue Source can partner with you to advance your next cardiac research project, educational initiative, or product development effort.