ABSTRACT
Tissue engineering using appropriate tubular scaffolds seeded with autologous living stem cells provides living tissue substitutes capable of integration, remodeling, and long-term patency. Mechanical conditioning of cell-seeded grafts before implantation is required for cell differentiation and adaptation to dynamic conditions. This entry first examines the necessary properties for the ideal vascular graft before moving to a more in depth discussion of research that is fueling implant improvement, such as small-diameter prosthetic grafts.
