Editorial: New discoveries in bioengineering applied to vascular surgery

摘要

SummaryIn healthcare, technological advancements have consistently led to groundbreaking innovations that improve patient outcomes and enhance quality of life. Among these transformative developments, vascular bioengineering stands as a beacon of hope, promising to revolutionize the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and bring about a new era of personalized medicine. The intersection of biology, engineering, and medical science has paved the way for remarkable progress in this field, offering a glimpse into a future where regenerative therapies, artificial organs, and minimally invasive procedures are the norm. Vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, aneurysms, and ischemic conditions, are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Traditional treatment approaches often involve open surgeries or the implantation of synthetic materials, which present various challenges, such as the risk of rejection, limited durability, and the need for lifelong medication.IntroductionThe field of vascular medicine has witnessed the fifth cardiovascular revolution1, thanks to the convergence and the synergistic relationship between vascular biomaterials, synthetic vascular neuronal networks, and artificial intelligence.Healthcare has long been the beneficiary of technological advancements, with innovations consistently pushing the boundaries of what's possible in medical science. Among these remarkable developments, vascular bioengineering stands out as a beacon of hope, poised to revolutionize the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and usher in a new era of personalized medicine. This field has made substantial progress through the convergence of biology, engineering, and medical science, offering glimpses into a future where regenerative therapies, artificial organs, and minimally invasive procedures are commonplace.These innovations have revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases, paving the way for precision medicine tailored to individual patient needs.2The Burden of Cardiovascular DiseasesCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a significant global health challenge, with conditions likeatherosclerosis, aneurysms, and ischemic disorders ranking among the leading causes of mortality. These diseases often necessitate invasive and high-risk interventions, such as open-heart surgeries or the implantation of synthetic materials. However, these conventional approaches are plagued by inherent issues, including the risk of rejection, limited durability, and the need for lifelong medication. Vascular bioengineering emerges as a promising solution to these long-standing problems. Vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, aneurysms, and ischemic conditions, are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Traditional treatment approaches often involve open surgeries or the implantation of synthetic materials, which present various challenges, such as the risk of rejection, limited durability, and the need for lifelong medication. Vessel characteristics vary by size, and the bioengineering of human conduits must adjust to these requirements: the primary role and, therefore, the anatomic and biochemical design of large vessels is in the efficient transport of blood while vessels of smaller diameter gradually switch to performing more exchange functions in lower pressure, slower flow environment.Repair, graft replacement, and reconstruction are the challenges for the expected benefits of bioengineering human tissues and blood vessels because the number of patients affected by peripheral arterial disease (PAD), requiring peripheral surgery, is steadily growing. PAD and vascular injuries, including civilian and military traumatic injuries, represent another area of the critical need for replacement vessels.3 Vascular replacements started with autologous saphenous vein graft described in 1949, and in the following years prostethic grafts have been developed.4The Promise of Vascular BioengineeringRegenerative T