Heart valves from polymeric fibers: potential and limits

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Cardiovascular Research
• Textile Science

Background:

• Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a common alternative to surgical valve replacement, but long-term durability of biological tissues is unknown.
• High costs and limitations of biological tissues drive the need for alternative synthetic valve leaflet materials.
• Textile constructions are potential candidates but require specific mechanical properties and biocompatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate strategies for using textile materials as heart valve leaflets over the last 50 years.
• To identify challenges and potential solutions for synthetic textile heart valve leaflets.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of textile applications in heart valve engineering.
• Analysis of material requirements for textile leaflets, including strength, flexibility, and biocompatibility.
• Evaluation of foreign body reaction (FBR) and calcification in textile materials.

Main Results:

• Textile materials demonstrate potential for heart valve leaflets but face significant challenges.
• Controlling foreign body reaction and calcification is crucial for textile leaflet performance.
• Hybrid textiles combining bioresorbable and permanent polymer fibers show promise.

Conclusions:

• Hybrid textiles, arranged in various structures (non-woven, woven, knitted), may offer a solution for strength and controlled tissue ingrowth.
• Further research is needed to find the ideal synthetic fibrous valve leaflet material.