Current challenges in three-dimensional bioprinting heart tissues for cardiac surgery

Christopher D Roche; Russell J L Brereton; Anthony W Ashton; Christopher Jackson; Carmine Gentile

doi:10.1093/ejcts/ezaa093

Current challenges in three-dimensional bioprinting heart tissues for cardiac surgery

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2020 Sep 1;58(3):500-510. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezaa093.

Authors

Christopher D Roche^{1

2

3

4}, Russell J L Brereton², Anthony W Ashton¹, Christopher Jackson¹, Carmine Gentile^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Northern Clinical School of Medicine, University of Sydney, Kolling Institute, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
² Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
³ Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Ultimo, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁴ Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.

Abstract

Previous attempts in cardiac bioengineering have failed to provide tissues for cardiac regeneration. Recent advances in 3-dimensional bioprinting technology using prevascularized myocardial microtissues as 'bioink' have provided a promising way forward. This review guides the reader to understand why myocardial tissue engineering is difficult to achieve and how revascularization and contractile function could be restored in 3-dimensional bioprinted heart tissue using patient-derived stem cells.

Keywords: Bioprinting; Cardiac tissues; Regenerative medicine; Revascularization; Stem cells; Transplantation.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Bioprinting*
Cardiac Surgical Procedures*
Heart
Humans
Printing, Three-Dimensional
Tissue Engineering