An Elastic, Biodegradable Cardiac Patch Induces Contractile Smooth Muscle and Improves Cardiac Remodeling and Function in Subacute Myocardial Infarction

An Elastic, Biodegradable Cardiac Patch Induces Contractile Smooth Muscle and Improves Cardiac Remodeling and Function in Subacute Myocardial Infarction Kazuro L. Fujimoto, Kimimasa Tobita, W. David Merryman, Jianjun Guan, Nobuo Momoi, Donna B. Stolz, Michael S. Sacks, Bradley B. Keller, William R. Wagner To prevent chronic adverse cardiac remodeling and subsequent dysfunction after myocardial infarction, we implanted an elastic, biodegradable material, polyester urethane urea (PEUU), as a cardiac patch onto subacute infarcts in a rat model. Eight weeks after implantation, echocardiography revealed that cardiac dilatation was prevented and contractile function improved in the PEUU patch group. Histology revealed contractile smooth muscle bundles in the PEUU implanted site and increased wall thickness, compared to the infarction control. The myocardial compliance of the PEUU group was distributed between normal myocardium and the infarction control. These findings suggest a new therapeutic option against post-infarct cardiac failure.