PMMA/PDMS/MXene Nanofibers for Postsurgery Monitoring of Vascular Implants

Abstract

Continuous monitoring of implanted vascular implants poses challenges due to the inherent toxicity and instability of contrast agents within the body. The use of biocompatible materials with radiopaque properties offers a solution for continuous monitoring of implanted artificial grafts together with early detection of vascular prosthesis dysfunction, which mitigates the risk of catastrophic failures from leakages or aneurysms. Here, we aimed to develop an artificial vascular graft with enhanced radiopacity to facilitate postsurgery monitoring. To achieve this goal, MXene (Ti 3 C 2 nanosheets) was incorporated into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanofibers via an electrospinning technique, to enhance radiopacity without compromising biocompatibility. The integration of MXene into the nanofiber resulted in an increase in the hydrophilicity of the samples, leading to enhanced cell attachment. Microcomputed tomography imaging was used to verify the radiopacity properties of the samples, showing excellent contrast characteristics. The biocompatibility and hemocompatibility of the samples showed that 50 wt % MXene is the optimal concentration, demonstrating no cytotoxic effects. This is due to the encapsulation of MXene inside the PMMA/PDMS nanofibers preventing the interaction of MXene nanosheets with the physiological environment in vitro while maintaining their radiopacity. This approach herein holds promise as a platform for the long-term monitoring of implanted polymeric materials, thereby addressing a critical unmet need in the field.