3D printed bioresorbable nitric oxide-releasing vascular stents

Abstract

Although bioresorbable vascular stents (BVS) have emerged as a promising alternative to overcome complications of metallic stents, adverse outcomes of BVS demand further improvements. The development of photocrosslinkable polyesters, such as methacrylated poly(dodecanediol citrate) (mPDC) for use in light-assisted 3D printing technologies, brought new perspectives for the fabrication of BVS. In line with this approach, the knowledge of the pro-endothelial and anti-thrombotic actions of nitric oxide (NO), has stimulated the development of NO-releasing BVS. Herein, we describe the fabrication of mPDC-based NO-releasing BVS, using digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing. The NO release property of the mPDC matrix was obtained through the incorporation of the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-d-penicillamine (SNAP). Chemiluminescent real-time NO detection showed that NO release from mPDC/SNAP is triggered by contact with the aqueous medium at rates which can be modulated by the SNAP charge. The obtained NO release rates, in the range of 20–160 ​pmol ​cm−2 min−1, have potential to inhibit thrombus formation. Therefore, 3D printed BVS made of NO-releasing mPDC/SNAP may offer a simple and new strategy for overcoming late thrombotic complications of BVS.