Flow affects the biosynthetic activity of aortic valve leaflet fibroblasts

To determine how flow influences the biosynthetic behavior of heart valve leaflet fibroblasts, porcine aortic valve leaflets were exposed to a mean flow rate of either 10 or 20 Lpm for 48 hr under pulsed or steady conditions. Compared to static controls, protein synthesis was reduced by flow, more so at 10 Lpm than at 20 Lpm. No significant differences in synthesis were found between pulsed or steady flow, suggesting that mean flow rate (which creates tensile forces within the leaflet matrix) caused the reduction