3D printed bioresorbable nitric oxide-releasing vascular stents

Abstract Although bioresorbable vascular stents (BVS) have emerged as a promising alternative to overcome complications of metallic stents, adverse outcomes of BVS demand further improvements. The development of photocrosslinkable methacrylated polyesters, such as methacrylated poly(dodecanediol citrate) (mPDC) for use in light-assisted 3D printing technologies, brought new perspectives for the fabrication of BVS. In line with this approach, the knowledge of the pro-endothelial and anti-thrombotic actions of nitric oxide (NO), has stimulated the development of NO-releasing BVS. Herein, we describe the fabrication of mPDC-based NO-releasing BVS, using digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing. The NO release property of the mPDC matrix was obtained through the incorporation of the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-d-penicillamine (SNAP). Chemiluminescent real-time NO detection showed that NO release from mPDC/SNAP is triggered by contact with the aqueous medium at rates which can be modulated by the SNAP charge. The obtained NO release rates, in the range of 20–160 pmol cm−2 min−1, have potential to inhibit thrombus formation. Therefore, 3D printed BVS made of NO-releasing mPDC/SNAP, may offer a simple and new strategy for overcoming late thrombotic complications of BVS.