Scottish researchers create synthetic vessels to improve heart treatment

Two Scottish universities have found a tech-enabled solution to make heart treatment safer.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University have used 3D printing technology to create synthetic blood vessels.  It is claimed that these “gel-like” tubes could replace human veins to re-route blood flow, making bypass surgeries less risky.

The synthetic vessels could help limit scarring, pain and infection risk associated with the removal of human veins in bypass operations, researchers say.

Dr Norbert Radacsi, principal investigator, said: “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.”

To date, tests have shown these artificial vessels to be as strong as natural blood vessels.

The products could also help alleviate the failure of small synthetic grafts, which can be hard to integrate into the body, researchers claim.

The team used a rotating spindle integrated into a 3D printer to print tubular grafts made from a water-based gel. They then reinforced the printed graft in a process known as electrospinning, which uses high voltage to draw out very thin nanofibers, coating the artificial blood vessel in biodegradable polyester molecules.

With help from Edinburgh University’s Roslin Institute, the team is set to begin animal trials, before kickstarting human tests.

Dr Radacsi added: “With continued support and collaboration, the vision of improved treatment options for patients with cardiovascular disease could become a reality”.