Researchers 3D print blood vessels to improve heart bypass outcomes

According to the University of Edinburgh, 3D printed blood vessels, closely mimicking the properties of human veins, have the potential to transform the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. These strong, flexible, gel-like tubes, created using a novel 3D printing technology, could significantly enhance outcomes for heart bypass patients by replacing the human and synthetic veins currently used in surgery to re-route blood flow.

The development of synthetic vessels could help limit the scarring, pain, and infection risks associated with the removal of human veins in bypass operations, of which around 20,000 are carried out in England each year. Moreover, these products could help alleviate the failure of small synthetic grafts, which can be challenging to integrate into the body.

In a two-stage process, a team of researchers led by the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering utilized a rotating spindle integrated into a 3D printer to create tubular grafts from a water-based gel. The printed grafts were then reinforced using electrospinning, a process that employs high voltage to draw out very thin nanofibers – coating the artificial blood vessel in biodegradable polyester molecules. Tests showed the resulting products to be as strong as natural blood vessels.

The 3D grafts can be made in thicknesses ranging from 1 to 40mm in diameter – catering to various applications. Their flexibility means they could easily be integrated into the human body.

The next phase of the study will involve researching the use of these blood vessels in animals, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, followed by human trials. The research, published in Advanced Materials Technologies, was conducted in collaboration with Heriot-Watt University.

“Our hybrid technique opens up new and exciting possibilities for the fabrication of tubular constructs in tissue engineering,” said Dr. Faraz Fazal, the lead author from the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh.

“The results from our research address a long-standing challenge in the field of vascular tissue engineering – to produce a conduit that has similar biomechanical properties to that of human veins. With continued support and collaboration, the vision of improved treatment options for patients with cardiovascular disease could become a reality,” said Dr. Norbert Radacsi, the principal investigator from the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh.