The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 2017
Patient-specific assessment of hemodynamics by computational fluid dynamics in patients with bicuspid aortopathy.
Hemodynamics related to eccentric blood flow may factor into the development of bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy. We investigated wall shear stress distribution by means of magnetic resonance imaging-based computational fluid dynamics in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve. ⋯ Computational fluid dynamics simulation is useful for precise evaluation of hemodynamics related to bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy. Such evaluation will advance our understanding of the disease pathophysiology and may facilitate molecular biological investigation.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Apr 2017
Preclinical study of patient-specific cell-free nanofiber tissue-engineered vascular grafts using 3-dimensional printing in a sheep model.
Tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) offer potential to overcome limitations of current approaches for reconstruction in congenital heart disease by providing biodegradable scaffolds on which autologous cells proliferate and provide physiologic functionality. However, current TEVGs do not address the diverse anatomic requirements of individual patients. This study explores the feasibility of creating patient-specific TEVGs by combining 3-dimensional (3D) printing and electrospinning technology. ⋯ Creation of patient-specific nanofiber TEVGs by combining electrospinning and 3D printing is a feasible technology as future clinical option. Further preclinical studies involving more complex anatomical shapes are warranted.