Figure 2.

Normal tri-layered morphology of aortic valve cusps was maintained in stretch experiments. Tissue morphology and structure was comparable between fresh controls and samples stretched for 3, 7, and 14 days (A). There was no significant difference in tissue thickness between fresh controls and samples stretched for 3, 7, and 14 days (B) [n = 10]. Samples cultured to 3, 7, and 14 days showed some evidence of DNA deterioration as demonstrated by arrows (C); however, the number of necrotic cells was less than 3.5% of the total number of cells (D) [n = 8] F indicates fibrosa. *P < 0.05.