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Surgical Protocol for Partial Heart Transplantation in Growing Piglets

Medina, World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery. 2024.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38780414/

Researchers are interested in using partial heart transplantation (i.e., only the part of the heart containing the necessary heart valve is transplanted) to deliver growing heart valve implants. This novel technique allows partial heart transplants to grow, similar to the valves in heart transplants. More work is needed, however, to understand the underlying biological mechanisms of this approach and achieve progress in clinical care. In the present study, the authors present a surgical protocol for partial heart transplantation in growing piglets. This model will enable other researchers to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature of partial heart transplants. Supported by ORIP (U42OD011140) and NHLBI.

Effects of Acute Femoral Head Ischemia on the Growth Plate and Metaphysis in a Piglet Model of Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease

Armstrong et al., Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2023.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36696941/

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) can lead to permanent deformity of the femoral head and premature osteoarthritis, but the underlying cause remains unknown. More work is needed to determine optimal treatment methods for LCPD. Using a piglet model for LCPD, researchers assessed the effects of acute femoral head ischemia on the proximal femoral growth plate and metaphysis. They reported that alterations to the growth plate zones and metaphysis occurred by 2 days post-ischemia and persisted at 7 days post-ischemia. These findings suggest that growth disruption may occur sooner after the onset of ischemia than researchers had hypothesized previously. Supported by ORIP (T32OD010993, K01OD021293), NIAMS, and NCATS.

Naturally Occurring Osteochondrosis Latens Lesions Identified by Quantitative and Morphological 10.5 T MRI in Pigs

Armstrong et al., Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2023.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35716161/

Juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) is a pediatric orthopedic disorder that is associated with pain and gait deficits. JOCD lesions form in the knee, elbow, and ankle joints and can progress to early-onset osteoarthritis. In this study, researchers used a noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method to identify naturally occurring lesions in intact knee and elbow joints of juvenile pigs. This work can be applied to noninvasive identification and monitoring of early JOCD lesions and determination of risk factors that contribute to their progression in children. Supported by ORIP (K01OD021293, T32OD010993), NIAMS, and NIBIB.