Construction of vascular grafts based on tissue-engineered scaffolds

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) ranks among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally, primarily due to arterial occlusive disease. Vascular bypass remains the cornerstone of treatment; however, many patients lack suitable autologous vessels (e.g., saphenous vein) for grafting. Tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) provide a viable alternative capable of integrating, remodeling, and repairing host vessels, responding to mechanical and biochemical stimuli. Currently, preparation methods for TEVGs are mainly categorized into scaffold-free and scaffold-based approaches. Scaffold-free methods exhibit comparatively weaker mechanical properties and limited research progress, whereas scaffold-based approaches show more promising applications due to their superior mechanical properties and biocompatibility. This review examines current research progress in materials, fabrication processes, functionalized modifications, cell implantation, and animal and clinical experiments for scaffold-based preparation of TEVGs. By exploring current challenges and future perspectives in this field, we expect to provide new insights into TEVGs development and expedite their clinical applications.