Premium
Promoting Endothelialization of Polymeric Cardiovascular Biomaterials
Author(s) -
Heath Daniel E.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201600574
Subject(s) - biomaterial , compatibility (geochemistry) , biomedical engineering , nanotechnology , vascular graft , materials science , engineering , composite material
The lack of a blood compatible synthetic interface is one of the largest unaddressed challenges in the field of biomaterials science. This technological shortcoming hinders the successful clinical application of small diameter vascular grafts and other cardiovascular devices such as stents and artificial heart valves. Therefore, intensive research activities are ongoing to develop polymer materials with improved blood compatibility. One attractive strategy to improve the blood compatibility of an interface is to design surfaces that promote the development of an endothelium, the monolayer of endothelial cells that line our native vasculature and is responsible for blood compatibility. This article describes the recent strategies that have been used to generate polymeric materials that promote the development of an endothelium, discusses shortcomings in the field, and proposes future directions of research that can be undertaken to design next generation polymeric biomaterial that promote endothelialization.