In Situ Remodeling Overrules Bioinspired Scaffold Architecture of Supramolecular Elastomeric Tissue-Engineered Heart Valves.

ABSTRACT: In situ tissue engineering that uses resorbable synthetic heart valve scaffolds is an affordable and practical approach for heart valve replacement; therefore, it is attractive for clinical use. This study showed no consistent collagen organization in the predefined direction of electrospun scaffolds made from a resorbable supramolecular elastomer with random or circumferentially aligned fibers, after 12 months of implantation in sheep. These unexpected findings and the observed intervalvular variability highlight the need for a mechanistic understanding of the long-term in situ remodeling processes in large animal models to improve predictability of outcome toward robust and safe clinical application.

SUBMITTER: Uiterwijk M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7775962 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature