Three-Dimensional Bioprinting in Cardiovascular Disease: Current Status and Future Directions
Zhonghua Sun,
Jack Zhao,
Emily Leung,
Maria Flandes-Iparraguirre,
Michael Vernon,
Jenna Silberstein,
Elena M. De-Juan-Pardo,
Shirley Jansen
Affiliations
Zhonghua Sun
Discipline of Medical Radiation Science, Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
Jack Zhao
School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
Emily Leung
School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
Maria Flandes-Iparraguirre
Regenerative Medicine Program, Cima Universidad de Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
Michael Vernon
T3mPLATE, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and UWA Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
Jenna Silberstein
Discipline of Medical Radiation Science, Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
Elena M. De-Juan-Pardo
T3mPLATE, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and UWA Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
Shirley Jansen
Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6102, Australia
Three-dimensional (3D) printing plays an important role in cardiovascular disease through the use of personalised models that replicate the normal anatomy and its pathology with high accuracy and reliability. While 3D printed heart and vascular models have been shown to improve medical education, preoperative planning and simulation of cardiac procedures, as well as to enhance communication with patients, 3D bioprinting represents a potential advancement of 3D printing technology by allowing the printing of cellular or biological components, functional tissues and organs that can be used in a variety of applications in cardiovascular disease. Recent advances in bioprinting technology have shown the ability to support vascularisation of large-scale constructs with enhanced biocompatibility and structural stability, thus creating opportunities to replace damaged tissues or organs. In this review, we provide an overview of the use of 3D bioprinting in cardiovascular disease with a focus on technologies and applications in cardiac tissues, vascular constructs and grafts, heart valves and myocardium. Limitations and future research directions are highlighted.
