Collagen-based scaffolds for tissue engineering of small-diameter blood vessels

Atherosclerotic vascular disease, including peripheral and coronary artery disease, is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western society. Although synthetic blood vessel prostheses are successfully being used for large-diameter vascular reconstructions, until now no functional small-diameter (< 6 mm) artificial vascular graft is available. Autologous veins and arteries are currently being used as vessel substitutes, but limitations in arteries supply and compliance mismatch are some of their main drawbacks encountered in this approach. Therefore, tissue engineering of small-diameter vascular grafts is an expanding area of research.