3D printed heart valve

Prosthetic heart valve (PHV) replacement has increased the survival rate and quality of life for heart valve-diseased patients. However, PHV thrombosis remains a critical problem associated with these procedures. To better understand the PHV flow-related thrombosis problem, appropriate experimental models need to be developed. In this study, we present an in vitro fibrin clot model that mimics clot accumulation in PHVs under relevant hydrodynamic conditions while allowing real-time imaging. We created 3D-printed mechanical aortic valve models that were inserted into a transparent glass aorta model and connected to a system that simulates human aortic flow pulse and pressures...

OBJECTIVES: Many types of congenital heart disease are amenable to surgical repair or palliation. The procedures are often challenging and require specific surgical training, with limited real-life exposure and often costly simulation options. Our objective was to create realistic and affordable 3D simulation models of the heart and vessels to improve training. METHODS: We created molded vessel models using several materials, in order to identify the material that best replicated human vascular tissue...

Creating tissue and organ equivalents with intricate architectures and multiscale functional feature sizes is the first step toward the reconstruction of transplantable human tissues and organs. Existing embedded ink writing approaches are limited by achievable feature sizes ranging from hundreds of microns to tens of millimeters, which hinders their ability to accurately duplicate structures found in various human tissues and organs. In this study, a multiscale embedded printing (MSEP) strategy is developed, in which a stimuli-responsive yield-stress fluid is applied to facilitate the printing process...

BACKGROUND: The cause for the association between increased cardiovascular mortality rates and lower blood pressure (BP) after aortic valve replacement (AVR) is unclear. This study aims to assess how the epicardial coronary flow (ECF) after AVR varies as BP levels are changed in the presence of a right coronary lesion. METHODS: The hemodynamics of a 3D printed aortic root model with a SAPIEN 3 26 deployed were evaluated in an in vitro left heart simulator under a range of varying systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)...

The hemodynamics in the aorta as well as the durability of aortic valve prostheses vary greatly between different types of devices. Although placement and sizing of surgical aortic valve prostheses are excellent, the valve geometry of common devices cannot be customized to fit the patient's anatomy perfectly. Similarly, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) devices are not customizable and may be orientated unfavorably during implantation. Imperfect fit of an aortic valve prosthesis may result in suboptimal performance and in some cases the need for additional surgery...

3D printing technologies have the potential to revolutionize the manufacture of heart valves through the ability to create bespoke, complex constructs. In light of recent technological advances, we review the progress made towards 3D printing of heart valves, focusing on studies that have utilised these technologies beyond manufacturing patient-specific moulds. We first overview the key requirements of a heart valve to assess functionality. We then present the 3D printing technologies used to engineer heart valves...

Three-dimensional (3D) modeling and printing is an emerging technology in veterinary cardiovascular medicine allowing the fabrication of anatomically correct patient-specific models. These patient-specific models can be used for a wide range of purposes including medical teaching, assessment of cardiac function and movement of valve leaflets, design and assessment of devices created for interventional procedures, and pre-surgical planning [1-3]. Additionally, these 3D models can facilitate communication between the clinical team and the patient's owner...

BACKGROUND: The co-existence of Sjögren's syndrome and aortic stenosis (AS) is infrequent, and there lack cases of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for these patients with detailed management decision-making. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of a female patient who had AS and Sjögren's syndrome with leukopaenia and thrombocytopaenia. To overcome co-existing hyper-coagulation and high thrombogenesis risk, difficult lifetime valve management, and high infection risk, we performed TAVR with 3D printing and formulated antithrombotic and antibiotic schemes...

BACKGROUND: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common anatomical variation that the aortic valve possesses two functional cusps. Sternal cleft is a rare congenital malformation which is caused by failed fusion of sternal bones. Early surgical repair is advised; otherwise, alternative surgical techniques should be performed. Due to their biocompatibility and elasticity, 3D-printed polyether ether ketone (PEEK) implants can be used. Complete sternal cleft coexistence with BAV is infrequent...

Polymeric heart valves offer the potential to overcome the limited durability of tissue based bioprosthetic valves and the need for anticoagulant therapy of mechanical valve replacement options. However, developing a single-phase material with requisite biological properties and target mechanical properties remains a challenge. In this study, a composite heart valve material was developed where an electrospun mesh provides tunable mechanical properties and a hydrogel coating confers an antifouling surface for thromboresistance...

(1) Background: Polymeric heart valves are prostheses constructed out of flexible, synthetic materials to combine the advantageous hemodynamics of biological valves with the longevity of mechanical valves. This idea from the early days of heart valve prosthetics has experienced a renaissance in recent years due to advances in polymer science. Here, we present progress on a novel, 3D-printable aortic valve prosthesis, the TIPI valve, removing the foldable metal leaflet restrictor structure in its center. Our aim is to create a competitive alternative to current valve prostheses made from flexible polymers...

Although regenerative medicine necessitates advanced three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds for organ and tissue applications, creating intricate structures across scales, from nano- to meso-like biological tissues, remains a challenge. Electrospinning of nanofibers offers promise due to its capacity to craft not only the dimensions and surfaces of individual fibers but also intricate attributes, such as anisotropy and porosity, across various materials. In this study, we used a 3D printer to design a mold with polylactic acid for gel modeling...

The development of tissue-engineered cardiovascular implants can improve the lives of large segments of our society who suffer from cardiovascular diseases. Regenerative tissues are fabricated using a process called tissue maturation. Furthermore, it is highly challenging to produce cardiovascular regenerative implants with sufficient mechanical strength to withstand the loading conditions within the human body. Therefore, biohybrid implants for which the regenerative tissue is reinforced by standard reinforcement material (e...

New horizons in cardiovascular research are opened by using 3D printing for biodegradable implants. This additive manufacturing approach allows the design and fabrication of complex structures according to the patient's imaging data in an accurate, reproducible, cost-effective, and quick manner. Acellular cardiovascular implants produced from biodegradable materials have the potential to provide enough support for in situ tissue regeneration while gradually being replaced by neo-autologous tissue. Subsequently, they have the potential to prevent long-term complications...

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter closure of paravalvular leak (PVL) is still a demanding procedure due to the complex anatomy of PVL channels and risk of interference between the implanted occluder and surrounding structures. Efforts are made to improve procedural outcomes in transcatheter structural heart interventions by establishing treatment strategy in advance with the use of 3D-printed physical models based on data obtained from cardiac computed tomography (CT) studies. AIM: In this feasibility study 3D printing of PVL models based on data recorded during transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examinations was evaluated...

Left ventricular pseudoaneurysm (PSA) after surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) is a known but uncommon complication. It is associated with risks such as thromboembolism and life-threatening rupture. Surgical repair has traditionally been utilized in low-risk patients but transcatheter closure has become a promising therapeutic option. This case report describes the utility of multimodality imaging in pre-, intra-, and post-procedural evaluation of transcatheter PSA closure and is among the first to demonstrate the utility of 3D print model...

Three-dimensional (3D) printing plays an important role in cardiovascular disease through the use of personalised models that replicate the normal anatomy and its pathology with high accuracy and reliability. While 3D printed heart and vascular models have been shown to improve medical education, preoperative planning and simulation of cardiac procedures, as well as to enhance communication with patients, 3D bioprinting represents a potential advancement of 3D printing technology by allowing the printing of cellular or biological components, functional tissues and organs that can be used in a variety of applications in cardiovascular disease...

Heart valve disease has become a serious global health problem, which calls for numerous implantable prosthetic valves to fulfill the broader needs of patients. Although current three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting approaches can be used to manufacture customized valve prostheses, they still have some complications, such as limited biocompatibility, constrained structural complexity, and difficulty to make heterogeneous constructs, to name a few. To overcome these challenges, a sacrificial scaffold-assisted direct ink writing approach has been explored and proposed in this work, in which a sacrificial scaffold is printed to temporarily support sinus wall and overhanging leaflets of an aortic valve prosthesis that can be removed easily and mildly without causing any potential damages to the valve prosthesis...

This article provides a comprehensive review of the current trends and challenges in the development of 3D-printed heart valves and other cardiac implants. By providing personalized solutions and pushing the limits of regenerative medicine, 3D printing technology has revolutionized the field of cardiac healthcare. The use of several organic and synthetic polymers in 3D printing heart valves is explored in this article, with emphasis on both their benefits and drawbacks. In cardiac tissue engineering, stem cells are essential, and their potential to lessen immunological rejection and thrombogenic consequences is highlighted...

INTRODUCTION: Successful mechanical circulatory support is influenced by various factors, which are difficult or impossible to control. For ideal functioning of the left ventricular assist device inflow-cannula, its axis should be close to parallel with the septum, facing the mitral valve within the left ventricle. Numerous international publications discuss that deviation from optimal implantation can lead to inadequate functioning and serious complications. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to developing a method, which, using 3D technology, anatomical and hydrodynamic data, makes optimal surgical implantation of the left ventricular assist device possible...