4DBIOSTENT (Bioresorbable stent: a lifelong solution for pediatric aortic coarctation)

Pediatric aortic coarctation is a congenital narrowing of the aorta that represents 8% of all heart malformations, with an incidence of 4 in 10,000 live births. The condition creates a dangerous pressure gradient between the upper and lower body, causing hypertension, fatigue, chest pain, and severe cardiovascular complications. If left untreated, it leads to poor outcomes, with average survival of just 34 years and 75% mortality by age 46, primarily due to heart failure, aortic rupture, bacterial endocarditis, or intracranial hemorrhage.

Existing treatments—including surgery, angioplasty, and stenting—have major limitations. Surgery and angioplasty often require repeat interventions, while conventional stents, although effective in maintaining vessel patency, are linked to early complications and the need for 4–5 reinterventions in children as they grow. These approaches address the obstruction temporarily but fail to support long-term vascular health in pediatric patients.

To overcome these challenges, we propose a 4D bioresorbable stent specifically designed for children. This adaptive scaffold supports vessel growth and arterial remodeling, reducing reinterventions while promoting comprehensive vascular health. The project will validate the stent in an in vivo pig model, assessing both its delivery system and biological response over time. In parallel, intellectual property protection and a business model tailored to the pediatric cardiovascular market will be developed to ensure successful clinical translation and technology transfer. This project is funded by CaixaImpulse Innovation 2025 with the participation of Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS) and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC).