Comparison of the Long-Term Efficacy of Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts Versus Polytetrafluoroethylene Conduits Using an Established Preclinical Model
Abstract
The long-term goal of this ongoing project is to utilize a regenerative medicine approach to develop improved biomaterials designed specifically for use in infants and children requiring congenital heart surgery. All currently available prosthetic biomaterials suffer from adverse events arising from poor biocompatibility.6 In contradistinction to prosthetic biomaterials, use of autologous tissue significantly reduces the risk of these complications.7 Thus the use of autologous tissue represents the best option for performing a major reconstructive cardiac operation when treating pediatric patients with congenital heart disease due to the reduced risk of complications and the growth capacity of autologous tissue.7 Regrettably, there is rarely sufficient autologous tissue to enable performance of a major congenital heart surgery without the use of prosthetic biomaterials, therefore; prosthetic biomaterials are used in the vast majority of congenital heart surgeries.7 Furthermore, because of the continuing lack of improved biomaterials, many medical and surgical strategies have been developed over the years to compensate for and enable the use of the suboptimal patches, grafts, and valves. For example, anticoagulation therapy is often used to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events, while surgeons frequently use oversized prostheses or delay surgical procedures until a child achieves a predefined weight in order to reduce the risk of somatic overgrowth.8-10 These strategies are effective and necessary to enable congenital heart disease patients to undergo life-saving operations, but they are maladaptive and come at a cost.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1223081
Entities
People
- Christopher K. Breuer
Organizations
- Nationwide Children's Hospital