SILVER MODIFICATION OF POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE TEXTILES FOR ANTIMICROBIAL PROTECTION

The safety and in vitro effectiveness of applying silver to polyethyle ne terephthalate fabric mechanical heart valve (MHV) sewing cuffs for the prevention of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) were evaluated. PVE is an infrequent but grave complication of cardiac surgery associa ted with mortality rates potentially exceeding 50%. A poor response to antibiotic therapy is partly responsible for the high mortality rates . Silver is a well known antimicrobial agent with broad effectiveness. Preliminary in vitro microbial challenge studies of the coated fabric using the New York State 63 bacteriostatic test and Dow Coming Shake Flask test showed a greater than or equal to 97% reduction for most or ganisms tested. Sheep mitral valve replacement studies suggest compara ble tissue ingrowth of uncoated and coated fabric with a more organize d, thinner pannus formed on silver coated fabric. Low levels of silver were present in the serum at all time periods. These results indicate MHVs with silver coated cuffs may provide additional protection again st PVE.