ABSTRACT

This chapter presents an overview of the native mechanobiology of the cardiovascular system in the context of medical devices and drugs, followed by detailed reviews of specific devices that include both engineering and regulatory requirements. The response of blood to altered mechanics is triggered by flow abnormalities and foreign surfaces that activate the coagulation system. Treatments are aimed at reducing blood pressure and consist of calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a well-established treatment for atherosclerosis and has expanded from balloon angioplasty to stent, vascular graft, and heart valve delivery. A PCI catheter's ability to recross a stent or lesion is important for minimizing the number of balloons used during a case, reducing overall procedural time, x-ray exposure, and use of contrast. Balloon compliance describes the inflation behavior as the balloon diameter as a function of pressure.