One of the consequences of the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease is the damaging effect it has on smaller arteries in the legs and within organs such as the kidney and heart. Although coronary artery bypass grafts are common, it is the smaller sized arteries that can remain damaged and difficult to reach and repair. Further the replacement vessels can fail and suffer blockages over time

Investigators at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have engineered artificial blood vessels from muscle-derived stem cells that exhibit characteristics that allow then to remain free of blockages. This research was presented at the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) North America Chapter meeting held in Toronto in June.

• Dr. David Vorp, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Surgery and Bioengineering and Director, Center for Vascular Remodeling and Regeneration at the University of Pittsburgh and Director, Vascular Bioengineering Laboratory at McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine