Need for new materials, biofunctionalization and non-surgical heart valve technology

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Medical Device Engineering

Background:

• The transition of non-surgical heart valve defect repair from laboratory research to clinical application is progressing.
• Biological material-based designs for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are nearing readiness for patient use.
• Current biological TAVI devices face challenges related to unknown long-term functional and structural durability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the current state of biological TAVI devices.
• To emphasize the need for further research into the durability of these devices.
• To underscore the importance of developing novel non-biological materials for heart valve prostheses.

Main Methods:

• Review of current advancements in biological material-based TAVI designs.
• Analysis of the limitations and challenges associated with existing biological TAVI devices.
• Identification of research gaps in material science for heart valve prostheses.

Main Results:

• Several biological material-based TAVI designs are approaching clinical application.
• The long-term durability of these biological TAVI devices is not yet established.
• There is a critical need for research into alternative non-biological materials.

Conclusions:

• The clinical translation of non-surgical heart valve repair is becoming a reality.
• Further investigation into the durability of biological TAVI devices is crucial.
• Development of innovative non-biological materials is essential for future heart valve prostheses.