Frontiers of Paediatric Cardiac Care with 3D - Printed Bioengineered Hearts: Current Progress, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

Dr. Radhakrishnan Pradeep Kumar

Abstract: 3D printing technology has revolutionized biomedical engineering, offering unprecedented opportunities in personalized medicine. Among its applications, bioink - based 3D printing of paediatric hearts holds immense promise for congenital heart disease treatment and transplantation. This article explores the technical intricacies, potential benefits, and current challenges associated with fabricating paediatric hearts using bioinks. The discussion delves into the limitations of existing methodologies, emphasizing challenges in vascularization, scalability, and structural integrity under conditions such as microgravity. Strategies to overcome these obstacles using future technological innovations are proposed.

Keywords: Pediatric Heart, Bioprinting, Cardiac Regeneration, Tissue Engineering, 3D Printing in Cardiology, Hydrogel Scaffolds, Myocardial Tissue Engineering, Biocompatible Polymers, Cardiomyocyte Differentiation, Vascularization in Bioprinting