Damaged hearts maintained by 3D-printed implant

New Scientist : After a serious heart failure, most patients require a transplant, but demand far exceeds supply. Current systems to maintain a regular heartbeat require bedside devices that confine patients to hospital care. A new alternative, developed by Philip Breedon of Nottingham Trent University in the UK and his colleagues, uses a 3D-printed, battery-operated implant called a “smart aortic graft” that allows patients to go about their daily lives while waiting for a transplant. The implant replaces a section of the aorta and pumps out of sync with the heart to maintain circulation. The pumping is controlled by the device’s coating, made of a material that contracts and expands in response to applied voltage from the attached battery. Each device is 3D-printed to allow for custom fitting. However, the system has drawbacks. Each regular replacement of the battery requires surgery, though the team is working to improve efficiency for fewer surgeries. Patients also have an increased risk of atherosclerosis or aneurysm because the implant causes changes to the aorta.