Cardiovascular tissue engineering

The fields of cardiovascular tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have experienced tremendous expansion and progress over the past 20 years. Strategies have focused on the use of cells, tissues, scaffolds, and numerous combinations of these three components to address both scientific questions and clinical needs. This chapter will focus on the use of biomaterials in the development of cardiac constructs, cell delivery methods, and engineering of artificial vessels and heart valves. While not an exhaustive list of topics within the field of cardiovascular tissue engineering, this list covers major areas of research advancement over the past few decades. Whether cardiac or peripherally focused, progress in these areas of research has the potential to impact tissue and organ function throughout the body. Because the cardiovascular system is dispersed throughout the human body, cardiovascular tissue engineering advancements can be seen as a rate-limiting factor for the development of thick tissues to repair or replace every critical physiological system. In addition, this chapter will also touch upon the prerequisites for continued success in cardiovascular tissue-engineered technology, discussing the future regulatory, clinical, manufacturing, and economic hurdles that scientists will need to overlay.