“Advancing cardiac patch viability and functionality: innovations in scaffold design and cellular optimization”

Cardiac patches represent a groundbreaking approach in the treatment of heart disease, offering a new hope for patients with damaged heart tissue following a myocardial infarction (MI). These engineered patches not only provide essential structural support to weakened heart tissue but also actively promote regeneration by recreating a functional, contractile environment. However, achieving long-term success with cardiac patches requires innovative strategies to address the complexities of the cardiac environment. This review addresses the significant challenge of maintaining cell viability and functionality in the large-scale production of cardiac patches. It aims to advance the effectiveness of cardiac patches for clinical applications in treating heart diseases through various methods, including the incorporation of conductive materials and the use of biocompatible scaffold materials to mimic native cardiac tissue. Strategies to promote vascularization, optimize cell sources, and refine cell culture conditions are also discussed. Additionally, controlled release systems for growth factors, surface modification techniques, and mechanical conditioning during in vitro culture are highlighted as crucial aspects of patch fabrication.

Graphical Abstract