Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for advanced vascular substitutes able to overcome the limitations of currently available grafts in vascular medicine. The conventional paradigm of vascular tissue engineering, where vascular scaffolds (VSs) are conceived merely as passive artery-mimicking frameworks, has evolved toward a dynamic vision in which they actively interact with host cells after implantation. Next-generation VSs should not only provide mechanical support but also attract and guide cells, modulate post-surgery inflammation, regulate scaffold remodeling, and enable the controlled release of bioactive molecules, such as antioxidants or growth factors, to promote functional neovessel regeneration.

We developed biodegradable, bioabsorbable, and small-diameter (< 6 mm) electrospun VSs integrating superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) to enable noninvasive, nondestructive, and real-time tracking of VS performance. The VSs were fabricated by electrospinning, using poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(glycerol sebacate) (20% (w/v) each) at a 1:1 (v/v) ratio enriched with 0.05% (w/v) quercetin. SPIONs, incorporated at different concentrations, could allow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based monitoring of VS positioning, evaluation of structural integrity, and assessment of fiber degradation kinetics both in vitro (i.e., during dynamic testing in bioreactor) and in vivo. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the uniform distribution of SPIONs within the fibrous architecture. The VSs were comprehensively characterized for physicochemical properties, mechanical behavior, and bioactive molecule release kinetics, while MRI testing demonstrated strong and stable signal retention over time. Cytocompatibility was evaluated with human endothelial cells and hemocompatibility was assessed with human red blood cells, taking into consideration blood coagulation kinetic and hemolysis assays.

This multifunctional platform combines regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and imaging functionalities within a single construct, paving the way for smart VSs capable of guiding tissue regeneration while enabling continuous, noninvasive monitoring and representing a promising step toward precision cardiovascular medicine.