Microphysiological systems, including 3D cardiac and vascular models, offer advanced in vitro platforms that integrate key physiological features to improve cardiovascular disease modelling, drug development, and toxicity testing.
Human microphysiological systems provide advanced in vitro platforms that better mimic human physiology for cardiovascular disease modeling and drug development.
Despite pharmacological-, technological- and medical- advances, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the main cause of death and disability in the world. This underscores the urgent need to better understand the early stages of these diseases for effective prevention, as well as to develop patient-specific pharmacological approaches (personalized medicine) and novel therapies. Traditional in vitro and in vivo models often fail to accurately mimic human physiology, limiting their translational potential. In this context, microphysiological systems (MPS) have emerged as advanced in vitro platforms that integrate key physiological features of cardiovascular tissues. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art advancements in in vitro models for studying CVDs, with a particular focus on emerging 3D cardiac and vascular models. These models serve as essential tools for disease modelling, drug development, and toxicity testing. Key parameters to consider when developing cardiovascular MPS are highlighted, along with a discussion of the advantages and challenges associated with each model system.
Ribeiro et al. (2026) conducted a review in Cardiovascular diseases. Microphysiological systems (MPS) vs. Traditional in vitro and in vivo models was evaluated. Microphysiological systems, including 3D cardiac and vascular models, offer advanced in vitro platforms that integrate key physiological features to improve cardiovascular disease modelling, drug development, and toxicity testing.
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