Study: 3D-Printed Blood Vessels May Boost Heart Bypass Success

Could 3D-Printed Blood Vessels unlock new possibilities in medical treatment?

Coronary heart disease is the most prevalent form of heart and circulatory disease, impacting approximately 2.3 million people in the UK. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with Heriot-Watt University, have developed artificial blood vessels using innovative 3D printing technology, which could revolutionise the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

The study, published in Advanced Materials Technologies, highlights that these artificial blood vessels could significantly improve outcomes for heart bypass patients. CVD affects around seven million people in the UK and is a leading cause of disability and death.

Heart bypass surgery, a common treatment for coronary heart disease, involves using grafts to bypass blocked arteries. The research team, led by the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering, utilised a rotating spindle integrated into a 3D printer to create tubular grafts from a water-based gel. These grafts were then reinforced through electrospinning, a process that uses high voltage to produce thin nanofibers, coating the artificial vessels with biodegradable polyester molecules.

These synthetic vessels can be manufactured in various thicknesses, ranging from one to 40mm in diameter, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Tests have shown that these artificial blood vessels are as strong as natural ones and easily integrate into the human body.

Using synthetic vessels could reduce the risks associated with harvesting human veins for bypass operations, such as scarring, pain, and infection. Additionally, they could mitigate the common issue of small synthetic grafts failing to integrate properly into the body.

Dr Norbert Radacsi, the principal investigator from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering, stated, “Our research addresses a long-standing challenge in vascular tissue engineering – to produce a conduit with biomechanical properties similar to human veins, improving treatment options for patients with CVD.”

In collaboration with the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, the researchers plan to test these artificial blood vessels in animals, with the goal of progressing to human trials in the future.