Bioengineered Heart Valves Guide Tissue Remodeling
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 21 May 2018 |
Image: A computer-designed customized regenerative heart valve (Photo courtesy of UZH).
A new study suggests that tissue-engineered heart valve (TEHVs) designed with the aid of computer simulations could provide long-term functionality.
Researchers at the University of Zurich (UZH; Switzerland), Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE; The Netherlands), and other institutions used computational modeling to design regenerative TEHVs grown on polymer scaffolds seeded with vascular cells. After four weeks in a bioreactor, the grafts were decellularized prior to implantation as pulmonary valve replacements in sheep, using a minimally invasive transcatheter technique. The TEHVs were then monitored for one year using multi-modal in-vivo imaging and comprehensive tissue remodeling assessments.
At follow-up, 9 of the 11 grafts remained functional. Computational modeling predicted that the valve leaflets would shorten during dynamic remodeling before reaching equilibrium, which was confirmed in the sheep. The computer simulation also showed that TEHV failure could be predicted in advance for non-physiological pressure loading. The researchers suggest that future tissue engineering strategies should include computational simulation so as to lead to more predictable clinical translation. The study was published on May 9, 2018, in Science Translational Medicine.
“One of the biggest challenges for complex implants such as heart valves is that each patient's potential for regeneration is different. There is therefore no one-size-fits-all solution,” said senior author Professor Simon Hoerstrup, MD, PhD, of UZH. “Thanks to the simulations, we can optimize the design and composition of the regenerative heart valves and develop customized implants for use in therapy.”
Surgical correction of chronic heart disease (CHD) defects such as Tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia has increased dramatically. But despite excellent long-term survival, they typically require multiple operative procedures until adulthood, as the homograft pulmonary artery conduits or BJV grafts have no ability to grow and remodel with the somatic growth of the child. Additionally, an intense inflammatory reaction to these materials commonly occurs, resulting in early calcification and failure, leading typically to the need for 5-7 operative procedures.
Related Links:
University of Zurich
Eindhoven University of Technology
Researchers at the University of Zurich (UZH; Switzerland), Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE; The Netherlands), and other institutions used computational modeling to design regenerative TEHVs grown on polymer scaffolds seeded with vascular cells. After four weeks in a bioreactor, the grafts were decellularized prior to implantation as pulmonary valve replacements in sheep, using a minimally invasive transcatheter technique. The TEHVs were then monitored for one year using multi-modal in-vivo imaging and comprehensive tissue remodeling assessments.
At follow-up, 9 of the 11 grafts remained functional. Computational modeling predicted that the valve leaflets would shorten during dynamic remodeling before reaching equilibrium, which was confirmed in the sheep. The computer simulation also showed that TEHV failure could be predicted in advance for non-physiological pressure loading. The researchers suggest that future tissue engineering strategies should include computational simulation so as to lead to more predictable clinical translation. The study was published on May 9, 2018, in Science Translational Medicine.
“One of the biggest challenges for complex implants such as heart valves is that each patient's potential for regeneration is different. There is therefore no one-size-fits-all solution,” said senior author Professor Simon Hoerstrup, MD, PhD, of UZH. “Thanks to the simulations, we can optimize the design and composition of the regenerative heart valves and develop customized implants for use in therapy.”
Surgical correction of chronic heart disease (CHD) defects such as Tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia has increased dramatically. But despite excellent long-term survival, they typically require multiple operative procedures until adulthood, as the homograft pulmonary artery conduits or BJV grafts have no ability to grow and remodel with the somatic growth of the child. Additionally, an intense inflammatory reaction to these materials commonly occurs, resulting in early calcification and failure, leading typically to the need for 5-7 operative procedures.
Related Links:
University of Zurich
Eindhoven University of Technology
Latest Health IT News
- Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients
- Strategic Collaboration to Develop and Integrate Generative AI into Healthcare
- AI-Enabled Operating Rooms Solution Helps Hospitals Maximize Utilization and Unlock Capacity
- AI Predicts Pancreatic Cancer Three Years before Diagnosis from Patients’ Medical Records
- First Fully Autonomous Generative AI Personalized Medical Authorizations System Reduces Care Delay
- Electronic Health Records May Be Key to Improving Patient Care, Study Finds
- AI Trained for Specific Vocal Biomarkers Could Accurately Predict Coronary Artery Disease
- First-Ever AI Test for Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s to Be Expanded to Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease
- New Self-Learning AI-Based Algorithm Reads Electrocardiograms to Spot Unseen Signs of Heart Failure
- Autonomous Robot Performs COVID-19 Nasal Swab Tests
- Statistical Tool Predicts COVID-19 Peaks Worldwide
- Wireless-Controlled Soft Neural Implant Stimulates Brain Cells
- Tiny Polymer Stent Could Treat Pediatric Urethral Strictures
- Human Torso Simulator Helps Design Brace Innovations
- 3D Bioprinting Rebuilds the Human Heart