Heart valve tissue engineering: current preclinical and clinical approaches

Abstract Valvular disease, either through a congenital defect or as an acquired condition, represents a significant health burden worldwide. Common clinically used valve replacements are bioprostheses or mechanical valves. Both types have inherent limitations, especially in the case of pediatric recipients who need a valve that can follow their somatic growth. Tissue engineering could potentially provide a solution for a personalized heart valve replacement. By combining relevant biological, mechanical and structural aspects, an effort toward the regeneration of one’s own tissue is being attempted. This chapter covers research developments in the tissue engineering of heart valves over the past 20 years. Clinical and preclinical studies are described and important research methodologies are highlighted. Clinical studies with existing heart valve technologies are outlined, and preclinical findings with the potential to be translated into the clinic are subsequently presented. Finally, a future outlook is provided with directions so that heart valve tissue engineering could move closer to the stage of routine clinical practice.