Synthetic Heart Valves May Replace Animal Parts in Surgery Training

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed components of the cardiovascular system made from polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel. The components—including heart valves, arteries, and veins—may allow surgeons to improve their bypass techniques without using parts from dead animals (currently a common practice). According to the researchers, one advantage of the synthetic components is that they don’t break down as quickly as their organic counterparts.