Thermoplastic Elastomers: Materials for Heart Assist Devices

Heart assisting devices have become a standard element in clinical practice and provide support for the traditional methods of treating heart disease. Regardless of the construction of VAD (ventricular assist devices), there are crucial requirements that have to be met by the construction materials: high purity, desired physical, chemical and mechanical properties, easy fabrication and high stability and susceptibility to sterilization. They must not cause thrombosis, destroy cellular elements, alter plasma protein, destroy enzymes, deplete electrolytes, cause immune response and cancer, and must not produce toxic and allergic reactions, when they are applied in direct contact with biological tissues and fluids. This paper provides an overview of the polymeric materials as construction materials for cardiovascular support systems, focusing on the group of thermoplastic elastomers, mainly polyurethane and polyester based ones. It also highlights the advantages and disadvantages of currently used materials and the progress in the design of new materials with potential application in the biomedical field.