Integrated Polymeric Sensors in Heart and Blood Vessel Monitoring: A Review.

This paper presents recent progress (2019-2025) in the role of polymer-based sensors implemented for heart and blood vessel monitoring. The existing variety of polymers, of synthetic and natural origin, allows the creation of sensors tailored to specific needs, to monitor heart health status for invasive cardiovascular surgery. Polymers, in combination with nanomaterials, nanostructures, or nanostructured materials, enhance the characteristics of force sensors. The review discusses implantable sensors applied in healthcare, especially for cardiovascular system monitoring, which provide the possibility to prevent the development of pathology or to control existing pathology. Additionally, the emerging need for biodegradable devices requires a review of the polymers already used. The quality and accuracy requirements of sensors for self-monitoring and health status control in medical institutions vary; yet needing a variety of sensors does not reduce the importance of finding sensors that are more accurate or more comfortable to wear. Sensors suitable for short-term use become important in the postoperative period, with the need for biodegradable polymers. This review focuses on publications that provide an analysis of the sensors as well as their potential for medical purposes. Our review focuses on polymers applied to force sensors for cardiovascular system monitoring. Overall, this review explores the paths of innovations in the field of novel technologies for self-monitoring of health. Finally, future research directions reported in the selected articles for cardiovascular care sensors are discussed.