An agent that is smaller than a virus causes scrapie. It is either a protein called a prion or it is another substance closely associated with the prion protein. Scientists still have a lot to learn about the scrapie agent and exactly how it works.
Tissue valves are made with tissues from porcine (pig) heart valves or bovine (cow) cardiac tissue because they function like human heart valves. Once the tissue is removed from the animal, it is chemically treated to preserve the tissue and prevent immulogic reactions once it is placed in a patient.
The right atrioventricular valve complex (the tricuspid valve) is made up of the 3 valve leaflets, the annulus, the supporting chordae tendineae, and the papillary muscles. The atrial and ventricular masses, conduction system tissue, and support structure of the fibroelastic cardiac skeleton allow coordinated actions of the tricuspid valve.