Human blood vessels grown in a lab

Scientists have managed to grow human blood vessels in laboratories, which could revolutionise heart bypass surgery.

The researchers made laboratory news by making the veins in just a few weeks from skin cells removed from the hand. These tubes could be used to help kidney patients on dialysis and babies with deficient heart valves, as well as making significant strides on how we perform bypass operations.

US scientists revealed the results at the Experimental Biology conference in San Diego, demonstrating how they can manufacture blood vessels in two months by weaving them on a miniature loom in the lab. Previous attempts have largely relied on synthetic materials, and in many cases, the veins have not been strong enough to support blood flow.

26,000 patients require heart bypass surgery every year, but many of them in need of this delicate operation do not have any healthy blood vessels suitable for grafting. Additionally, current artificial versions are prone to infection, making them a risky option for surgeons.

Heart surgeon Timothy Gardner, the association’s past president, said that the remarkable thing about the new procedure is that the blood vessels are "essentially off-the-shelf, ready to be used".

“The thing that impressed me was that there was no evidence of any immune response or rejection associated with it. I think it is a really interesting, promising new development.”

Posted by Ben Evans