Integrated Piezoelectric Vascular Graft for Continuous Real-Time Hemodynamics Monitoring

Vascular grafts, widely utilized in managing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), are susceptible to postoperative complications. Recent strides in intelligent vascular grafts leveraging flexible bioelectronics enable hemodynamic and vascular health monitoring. However, their practical application faces challenges, notably biomechanical compatibility and endothelialization. Here, an all-in-one piezoelectric vascular graft (PVG) constructed by encapsulating a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber mat with patterned silver nanowire (AgNW) electrodes between two layers of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber mats is presented. The meticulously optimized PVG, featuring PVDF and PCL nanofibers with average diameters of ≈950 and 250 nm, respectively, showcases remarkable endothelialization and mechanical performance akin to native blood vessels. The exquisite piezoelectric properties of PVDF nanofibers imbue PVG with outstanding mechanical sensing capabilities, boasting a sensitivity of 11 mV kPa⁻¹ and stability exceeding 50 000 cycles, facilitating precise hemodynamic monitoring. Notably, artificial artery model tests demonstrate PVG's ability to diagnose vascular health status accurately based on detected hemodynamic data. Furthermore, the developed PVG exhibits nontoxicity, good hemocompatibility (hemolytic ratio < 1%), and histocompatibility. This pioneering technology, validated through ex vivo and in vivo experiments, represents a significant stride in precise vascular health management, unlocking diverse potential applications. © 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.