Abstract
Despite significant advances in numerous fields of biofabrication, clinical application of biomaterials combined with bioactive molecules and/or cells largely remains a promise in an individualized patient settings. Three-dimensional (3D) printing and bioprinting evolved as promising techniques used for tissue-engineering, so that several kinds of tissue can now be printed in layers or as defined structures for replacement and/or reconstruction in regenerative medicine and surgery. Besides technological, practical, ethical and legal challenges to solve, there is also a gap between the research labs and the patients’ bedside. Congenital and pediatric cardiac surgery mostly deal with reconstructive patient-scenarios when defects are closed, various segments of the heart are connected, valves are implanted. Currently available biomaterials lack the potential of growth and conduits, valves derange over time surrendering patients to reoperations. Availability of viable, growing biomaterials could cancel reoperations that could entail significant public health benefit and improved quality-of-life. Congenital cardiac surgery is uniquely suited for closing the gap in translational research, rapid application of new techniques, and collaboration between interdisciplinary teams. This article provides a succinct review of the state-of-the art clinical practice and biofabrication strategies used in congenital and pediatric cardiac surgery, and highlights the need and avenues for translational research and collaboration.
Highlights
Most of the biomaterials currently available in pediatric cardiac surgery are inert, e.g., intracardiac patches are covered with neointima, their surface is neither exposed nor interact; conduits stay in place until they degrade by outgrowth-shrinkage, calcification, and/or immunological reaction
Most implantation techniques and materials applied to babies derive from adult cardiothoracic surgery practices
Current biomaterials are designed to Biomaterials presently available and employed in congenital cardiac surgery fall short of ideal expectations
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Despite significant advances achieved in numerous fields of biofabrication, clinical application of biomaterials (synthetic or natural polymers) combined with bioactive molecules and/or cells (stem cells, autologous adult cells, etc.) in an individualized patient setting largely remains a promise. Congenital and pediatric cardiac surgery—mostly dealing with reconstructive and regeneration patient-scenarios—offers itself as a unique avenue for closing the gap in translational research, rapid application of new techniques, collaboration between interdisciplinary teams. In this summary, we present a status quaestionis, adding. Micromachines 2021, 12, 332 clinical and methodological reflections in which questions are framed today for the clinician and scientist
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.