An Intrapericardial Injectable Hydrogel Patch for Mechanical–Electrical Coupling with Infarcted Myocardium

Although
hydrogel-based patches have shown promising therapeutic
efficacy in myocardial infarction (MI), synergistic mechanical, electrical,
and biological cues are required to restore cardiac electrical conduction
and diastolic–systolic function. Here, an injectable mechanical–electrical
coupling hydrogel patch (MEHP) is developed via dynamic covalent/noncovalent
cross-linking, appropriate for cell encapsulation and minimally invasive
implantation into the pericardial cavity. Pericardial fixation and
hydrogel self-adhesiveness properties enable the MEHP to highly compliant
interfacial coupling with cyclically deformed myocardium. The self-adaptive
MEHP inhibits ventricular dilation while assisting cardiac pulsatile
function. The MEHP with the electrical conductivity and sensitivity
to match myocardial tissue improves electrical connectivity between
healthy and infarcted areas and increases electrical conduction velocity
and synchronization. Overall, the MEHP combined with cell therapy
effectively prevents ventricular fibrosis and remodeling, promotes
neovascularization, and restores electrical propagation and synchronized
pulsation, facilitating the clinical translation of cardiac tissue
engineering.