Using Planar Biaxial Testing to Characterize the Changes in Axial Load and Strain of Human, Porcine, and Ovine Fossa Ovalis Following a Transseptal Puncture

Abstract

Abstract Background In many cardiovascular interventional procedures, transseptal punctures are used to gain access to the left atrial and ventricular anatomies. As various types of transseptal procedures (TSP) continue to be developed and improved, the fossa ovalis (FO), within the human hearts and pre-clinical models, still needs to be biomechanically studied. For example, the induced changes in FO properties following a transseptal procedure, are not fully understood. The goal of this study was to quantify changes in the biomechanical properties of human, porcine, and ovine FO before and after a TSP. Methods Physiologically viable human FO were recovered from non-transplantable human hearts. FO were also recovered from porcine and ovine hearts immediately after slaughter. Recovered FO were then measured using microcomputed tomography (µCT) and biomechanically assessed using planar biaxial testing. A proprietary instrument was then used to puncture the FO. Changes were then measured using planar biaxial testing. Results A total of five human FO, four porcine FO, and three ovine FO were successfully recovered and tested for this study. Across all sample groups, planar biaxial testing shows increased axial strain following a TSP. Axial load was observed to decrease across all sample groups. Conclusions Our study used planar biaxial testing to measure the changes in biomechanical properties following a TSP. This includes data on changes in the maximum mean axial strain and maximum mean axial load of human, porcine, and ovine FO following TSP procedures. These findings provide important insights for medical device and procedural developers.