Key result
Biodegradable PPDO and PLA polymers show promise for next-generation LAAC devices offering complete resorption.
Fully biodegradable polymers like PPDO and PLA show promise as next-generation left atrial appendage closure devices, potentially overcoming the limitations of permanent foreign body retention seen with conventional occluders.
Atrial fibrillation (AF)-related ischemic stroke carries substantial clinical risks, and transcatheter left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) constitutes a core stroke preventive intervention. Conventional non-degradable occluders are hampered by permanent foreign body retention, insufficient anatomical conformability, and sustained long-term foreign-body inflammatory stimulation. Fully biodegradable materials offer a novel approach for device advancement. This review summarizes the characteristics and composite modification technologies of poly-p-dioxanone (PPDO) and polylactic acid (PLA), analyzes the application advantages and latest research progress of biodegradable closure devices, discusses technical challenges and corresponding solutions, and prospects their development trends toward multi-functionality and intellectualization. Owing to their intrinsic advantages of complete in vivo resorption and tunable mechanical/degradation properties, such composites are poised to emerge as the next-generation mainstream LAAC implants, advancing AF-associated stroke prophylaxis toward precise, biointegrated interventional therapy.
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Chen et al. (2026) conducted a review in Atrial fibrillation-related ischemic stroke. Fully biodegradable poly-p-dioxanone (PPDO) and polylactic acid (PLA)-based polymers vs. Conventional non-degradable occluders was evaluated. Fully biodegradable poly-p-dioxanone and polylactic acid-based polymers offer a promising approach for next-generation left atrial appendage closure devices with complete in vivo resorption.
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