Engineering Next-Generation Vascular Grafts with Improved Endothelialization and Long-Term Patency

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Cardiovascular Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases necessitate durable and hemocompatible vascular grafts (VGs).
• Autologous conduits are limited, driving research into synthetic and tissue-engineered alternatives.
• Ideal VGs require anatomical conformity, mechanical strength, patency, thromboresistance, and endothelialization support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of current vascular graft development.
• To outline design principles, fabrication strategies, and challenges in VG integration.
• To offer a strategic framework for accelerating the development and clinical translation of VGs.

Main Methods:

• Review of fundamental design principles and fabrication techniques (electrospinning, 3D bioprinting, decellularization).
• Discussion of surface modification strategies (heparinization, peptide functionalization, EC seeding).
• Summarization of hemocompatibility parameters and regulatory standards (ISO 10993, FDA).

Main Results:

• Identified key fabrication strategies and surface modification techniques for VGs.
• Evaluated material selection, clinical outcomes, and commercial grafts.
• Highlighted regulatory-compliant testing protocols for VGs.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive assessment integrating diverse VG requirements remains limited.
• This review integrates advances to accelerate the development of physiologically relevant VGs.
• A strategic framework is proposed for improved vascular graft design and clinical application.