Multilayered polyelectrolyte films: a tool for arteries and vessel repair

Circulatory vascular diseases, especially those arising from atherosclerosis, are the predominant cause of mortality and morbidity in the developed world. Current therapies include the use of autologous vessels or synthetic materials as vessel replacements. The limited availability of healthy vessels for use as bypass grafts and the failure of purely synthetic materials in small-diameter sites necessitate the development of biological substitutes. Langer and Vacanti, proposed the concept of tissue engineering for the development of structures that can treat/replace damaged or diseased organs and tissues. The layer-by-layer (L-b-L) self-assembly technique has emerged as a simple and versatile method for coating biological and non-biological surfaces aimed for various biomedical applications. This review discusses the development of vascular therapies, focusing on the various possibilities of the L-b-L surface technology for the development of suitable grafts.