Electrospun-based fibrous scaffold for cardiovascular engineering applications: a review

Abstract

Heart failure is a major cause of mortality and morbidity occurring in human population all over the world. Heart transplantation following heart failure is difficult to achieve due to limited availability of organ donor supply. Transplantation of a complete engineering tissue of heart and artificial blood vessel remains a dream. However, tissue engineering research field provides opportunity to fabricate bioactive scaffold to support the function of defective tissue or organ, through the development of bio-composite scaffolds construct. The construct that match the chemical, mechanical, biological properties and extracellular matrix morphology of native tissue could be suitable for supporting heart recovery after the failure. This study aims to report current development and future potential on using electrospun-based scaffold. The challenge and opportunity on developing and using electrospun bio-composite scaffolds will also highlight.