Improving the performance of engineered blood vessels for heart surgery

Improving Tissue Engineered Vascular Graft Performance via Computational Modeling

NIH-funded research Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp · NIH-11066539

This study is looking at ways to make better blood vessel grafts for kids with heart problems, using special computer models and tests on young sheep, so that these grafts work well and help patients heal more effectively after surgery.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionResearch Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbus, United States)
Project IDNIH-11066539 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) to improve their effectiveness in cardiovascular care, particularly for congenital heart surgery. By utilizing a combination of computational modeling and experimental data from juvenile sheep, the team aims to optimize the design of these grafts to ensure better integration and function within the body. The study will analyze how these grafts develop over time and adapt to the body's natural processes, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. Patients may benefit from more effective and reliable vascular grafts that can be used in surgical procedures.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children and adults undergoing procedures involving tissue engineered vascular grafts, particularly those with congenital heart conditions.

Not a fit: Patients who do not require vascular grafts or those with conditions unrelated to cardiovascular surgery may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective vascular grafts that improve surgical outcomes for patients with congenital heart defects.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in the development of tissue engineered vascular grafts, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in the field.

Where this research is happening

Columbus, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.